Gareth McAuley's pair of bullet headers eased Leicester's relegation fears and secured their first win since Boxing Day against Coca-Cola Championship rivals Ipswich.

The Northern Ireland centre-half, Foxes boss Rob Kelly's first signing for the cub back in the summer, struck midway through the opening half to fire the visitors ahead.

And he ensured Ipswich's dozy defence will be staying behind for extra set-piece training next week with a carbon-copy header after the break as City secured their first win at Portman Road for 19 years

Ipswich, now treading water just two points above their opponents at the wrong end of the table, went close through Jaime Peters and Jon Walters but could not find a way past Paul Henderson in the Leicester goal.

They also lost Owen Garvan to a red card after the break, the young midfielder receiving a second booking for a reckless two-footed lunge on Levi Porter.

The future looks brighter for City, though, with debutant Jason Jarrett impressing in midfield as they dragged themselves away from the drop zone.

Another of Leicester's January recruits, seasoned campaigner Geoff Horsfield, could have put them ahead in the opening moments but the on-loan Sheffield United forward headed Mark Yeates' cross over the top.

At the other end Ipswich new-boy Walters, making his home debut, turned smartly on the edge of the area only for City centre-half Patrick Kisnorbo to recover well and block his goalbound effort.

Leicester were indebted to Henderson's reactions in the 20th minute, the goalkeeper pulling off a superb diving save to keep out Peters' well-struck volley from 15 yards.

The lively Yeates then planted another cross onto Horsfield's head but the striker headed straight at Town keeper Lewis Price.

City went ahead in the 27th minute when McAuley rose unmarked to steer a firm header past Price from Porter's inswinging corner for his first league goal for the club.

Ipswich went back on the attack and Walters headed a Darren Currie free-kick wide before Peters fizzed a low shot the wrong side of Henderson's post.

Currie then swung in another low cross towards Billy Clarke, but the youngster could not get a decisive touch and Henderson was able to gather.

The hosts began the second half brightly and Clarke forced Price into a smart near-post save before Sylvain Legwinski headed over.

But they were undone in the 55th minute when Yeates received Porter's short corner and found the head of McAuley, who made no mistake once again.

Peters almost grabbed one back with a low drive across goal which flew inches wide, before Ipswich's misery was compounded by Garvan's 69th-minute dismissal.

The teenager lunged in with both feet at Porter and, although he won the ball cleanly, referee Carl Boyeson had no hesitation in producing a second yellow card amid a mild shoving match between opposing players.

Walters could have pulled one back late on but Peter's low cross just evaded his outstretched boot as Leicester held on.

Teams:

Ipswich Price, Wright, Wilnis, Bruce, Harding, Peters, Garvan,Legwinski (O'Callaghan 67), Currie, Walters, Clarke (Haynes 67).

Subs Not Used: Supple, Richards, Sito.

Sent Off: Garvan (69).

Booked: Garvan.

Leicester Henderson, Maybury, Kisnorbo, McAuley, Johansson,Porter, Jarrett, Johnson, Yeates (Glombard 83),Hume (Hammond 79), Horsfield (Kenton 90).

Subs Not Used: Logan, Stearman.

Booked: Jarrett.

Goals: McAuley 28, 56.

Att: 21,221

Ref: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).