Nigel Pearson registered his first win as Southampton manager thanks to Stern John's winner against fellow Championship strugglers Leicester.

The win gives Saints a four-point cushion over the Foxes, who slip into the bottom three as the pressure on Ian Holloway continues to mount.

In a nervy encounter chances were few and far between and in the end former Birmingham striker John's volley was enough to decide matters at St Mary's.

Leicester midfielder Lee Hendrie was first to show, firing a 30-yard effort wide before team-mate DJ Campbell drilled a shot wide from the edge of the area.

And Steve Howard somehow contrived to miss the target from six yards as the Foxes began to build a spell of pressure.

Andrew Surman had a long-range effort closed down by Gareth McAuley after 19 minutes but both teams were struggling to find a rhythm.

Young striker David McGoldrick showed brilliant control to bring down a cross from the right but had his shot blocked as Saints began to impose their authority on the game.

McGoldrick then made a promising break down the right and whipped in a dangerous cross which McAuley did well to head clear with John lurking dangerously.

Iain Hume's 20-yard effort was blocked by Jhon Viafara before Foxes keeper Paul Henderson had to be alert to save Surman's effort in first-half stoppage time.

Defender Wayne Thomas had the first opportunity of the second half when he met Mario Licka's corner but his header went over the bar.

Thomas was involved again after 53 minutes when he did well to block Campbell's powerful effort from the edge of the area.

Both managers made changes to try and breathe some life into the game, Saints replacing McGoldrick and Surman with Marek Saganowski and Adam Hammill while Holloway brought on Matt Fryatt for Campbell.

John had a long-range effort blocked by McAuley as the game petered out and Holloway threw on Barry Hayles for Hume before Fryatt saw his shot blocked by full-back Alexander Ostlund as he sought to make an instant impression.

John opened the scoring with 14 minutes to go, the Trinidad and Tobago striker smashing home a volley after McAuley failed to clear Licka's cross.

Matt Oakley, looking to make an impact against his old club, had his shot blocked by Gregory Vignal as the Foxes sought an equaliser.

Southampton's third-choice keeper Michael Poke, deputising for the injured Kelvin Davis, was finally called into action with four minutes remaining to keep out Joe Mattock's powerful drive.

Fryatt had a glorious chance to salvage a point for Leicester in the dying minutes when he latched on to Howard's header but somehow managed to put the ball wide when it looked easier to score.

Teams

Southampton Poke, Ostlund, Thomas, Viafara, Vignal, Licka,Safri, Euell, Surman (Hammill 58), McGoldrick (Saganowski 58),John (Gillett 90).

Subs Not Used: Pernecky, Baseya.

Booked: Ostlund, Vignal.

Goals: John 76.

Leicester Henderson, Stearman, McAuley, N'Gotty, Mattock,Etuhu, Oakley, Hendrie, Hume (Hayles 72), Howard,Campbell (Fryatt 61).

Subs Not Used: Kisnorbo, King, James Chambers.

Booked: Howard, McAuley, Mattock.

Att: 17,741

Ref: Danny McDermid (Middlesex).