Danny Guthrie fired Newcastle to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship as the depleted Magpies edged their way past Leicester 1-0.

Guthrie's 52nd-minute strike was enough to secure a fourth successive league win in front of owner Mike Ashley, prospective buyer Barry Moat and would-be manager Alan Shearer on a night when a New York-based consortium claimed they were ready to open talks over a deal.

On the pitch, the home side triumphed despite injuries reducing caretaker boss Chris Hughton's options to virtually none - his seven substitutes did not have a league start between them.

Alan Lee's close-range goal earned the 10 men of Crystal Palace a 1-1 draw at London Road and ensured Peterborough's slow return to the Championship continued.

Shaun Batt put Darren Ferguson's side ahead early in the second half at the end of the first decent move of the game before Lee bundled in a leveller.

Palace defender Paddy McCarthy was sent off with 16 minutes remaining for a second booking but the visitors survived to emerge with a point.

McCarthy was booked in the first half for a cynical foul on Craig Mackail-Smith and fouled the same player at least five times before being shown a second yellow card.

Ferguson's side remain without a win in the league this season but were the better side throughout a poor game.