Mark Viduka ended his goal drought as Leeds United maintained their late surge for a Champions League spot with a third successive Premiership win.

The Australian international found the net for the first time in 12 matches since he was on target in the shock FA Cup defeat at Cardiff on January 6.

And he then turned goal-provider in setting up the decisive second for the impressive Robbie Fowler who had scored a hat-trick on the same ground for Liverpool earlier in the season.

Leeds have now leapfrogged over Chelsea - in action on Sunday - into fifth place and are two points behind Newcastle although they have played a game more.

Fowler must have caught the eye of watching England number two Tord Grip while Jonathan Woodgate was quietly efficient at the back although his centre-back partner Dominic Matteo looked out of sorts.

Harry Kewell posed problems down the left and he looks to have recaptured that zest and sharpness for the game.

It was fortunate for the home side that 'keeper Ian Walker was in fine form as relegation looms ever near for the home side who are now without a winin 16 Premiership matches.

But, although Leeds were full value for their victory, this was not alldoom and gloom for Dave Bassett's side.

Teenager Matthew Piper again impressed on the right flank and will be a key figure for the future when the Foxes rebuild in the summer while Paul Dickov was also lively in attack.

Debutant Jon Ashton also did well on his debut and his long throws caused problems for the Leeds rearguard.

This at least was a Leicester performance full of commitment after Leeds had trounced them 6-0 in a Worthington Cup clash on the ground in October.

Walker was soon in the thick of the action when he parried away a lob drive from the over-lapping Fowler after Viduka had played the ball into his path.

The Leicester 'keeper also dealt more comfortably with two low efforts from Kewell but the home side came close to breaking the deadlock after 13 minutes.

A cross into the box from Scott Oakes was flicked on by Dickov and skipper Matt Elliott turned the ball against the post from close range.

Leeds were forced to make a switch when Olivier Dacourt limped out of theaction and was replaced by Seth Johnson.

But in the 17th minute Viduka ended his goal drought. A corner from Kewell found its way to Fowler at the far post and his spectacular volley forced a fine save out of Walker at full stretch.

But Viduka was on hand to head home the rebound from two yards out with the Leicester defence nowhere to be seen.

Leicester tried to retaliate and Dickov got up well at the far post but sent his header into the side netting from Oakes' inswinging corner.

But after 31 minutes the visitors doubled their lead with Fowler's 12th goal since he made the switch from Liverpool earlier in the season.

Viduka seized onto a ball into the area from Kewell and he turned the shaky looking Jacob Laursen before firing in a powerful close range effort which Walker did well to turn onto the bar.

But it was typical of Leicester's luck that the ball bounced back into play and Fowler headed in from almost on the goal-line.

Leeds looked far from secure in the air and it needed a superb save from Nigel Martyn to tip over a close range header from Dickov after he had seized onto a cross from Matthew Piper.

David Batty became the first player to be yellow carded for a lunge at Scott Oakes.

Then in injury-time City's promising debutant Ashton almost pulled a goal back with a lob which clipped the Leeds crossbar.

Leicester began the second period in a purposeful mood and they almost reduced the arrears after Piper had rounded Ian Harte and picked out Dickov with his low centre.

The former Manchester City player put plenty of power into his shot but it hit Woodgate and cannoned for a corner.

Back came Leeds and Viduka had a goal-bound shot blocked by Laursen after Kewell had made ground down the left flank.

Dickov and Matteo were yellow carded after a flare-up and than Robbie Savage joined them in the book for a foul on Batty.

Foxes substitute Frank Sinclair forced Martyn into a low save while Walker again excelled to tip over a fierce Viduka volley.

Teams:

Leicester: Walker, Ashton, Laursen, Elliott, Marshall (Sinclair 53), Oakes (Tommy Wright 86), Izzet, Savage, Piper, Dickov, Deane.

Subs Not Used: Flowers, Benjamin, Heath.

Booked: Dickov, Savage.

Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Woodgate, Matteo, Harte, Batty, Dacourt (Johnson 14), Kewell, Smith, Viduka, Fowler.

Subs Not Used: Kelly, Keane, Robinson, Wilcox.

Booked: Batty, Matteo.

Goals: Viduka 18, Fowler 31.

Att: 18,976

Ref: S Dunn (Bristol).