Leicester produced another miracle escape to reach the semi-finals of the Worthington Cup via a second successive penalty shoot-out which finally killed off First Division Fulham at Filbert Street.

Martin O'Neill's side held their nerve as they had against Leeds in the previous round with Arnar Gunnlaugsson, Robbie Savage and Graham Fenton all scoring from the spot.

Fulham, in contrast, saw Chris Coleman and Paul Trollope send their efforts wide while Leicester goalkeeper Pegguy Arphexad saved the third from Geoff Horsfield.

Leicester will now play Aston Villa in the two legged semi-final after a narrow survival. Paul Bracewell's side twice looked to have the tie wrapped up before the shoot-out.

First they took advantage of two mistakes by Steve Walsh and looked set to go through into the last four courtesy of goals from Paul Peschisolido and Geoff Horsfield in normal time.

But then 35-year-old Walsh atoned in dramatic fashion by setting up Leicester's first goal by Ian Marshall before scoring the second himself to force the game into extra-time.

Skipper Chris Coleman restored Fulham's lead early in extra-time but again Leicester came back through Marshall to draw level and take the tie into a shoot-out.

Savage, who had grabbed the headlines for his rash challenge on Arsenal striker Kanu in Sunday's FA Cup tie, was twice on the end of rough treatment from Fulham midfielder Steve Hayward in the opening quarter of an hour.

The Welsh international needed treatment after being caught in the stomach and then Hayward was yellow carded by Birmingham referee Mike Reed after catching the same player with his arm.

The opening stages were disjointed with Leicester, lacking five first team regulars, struggling to find any rhythm or shape.

Walsh sent a free-kick high and wide from 25 yards out and wing-back Frank Sinclair made some penetrating surges forward and also made a couple of timely interceptions.

But it was Fulham who had the first semblance of a chance in the 17th minute when Steve Finnan crossed powerfully from just inside the Leicester penalty area.

Fulham skipper Coleman got in a downward header but it struck the legs of Foxes defender Gerry Taggart.

Both sides struggled to come to terms with the wind and rain and a half empty stadium had precious little to cheer about.

Leicester finally created their first moment of real danger in the 26th minute when Marshall headed a Walsh centre down to Emile Heskey - but his control let him down and Andy Melville was able to clear.

Hayward sent a 25-yard shot just past the post before Arphexad produced a splendid save a minute before the interval to deny Finnan.

Fulham started the second half in a positive vein and former Leicester player Simon Morgan burst into the penalty area and shot just over the bar.

Leicester skipper Matt Elliott blocked a shot on the turn from Horsfield as Fulham started to look the more composed side - and they finally broke the deadlock in the 57th minute.

Walsh lost out to Horsfield who then forced his way into the area before squaring the ball back to Peschisolido.

The Canadian international calmly side-footed his shot wide of Arphexad to spark off wild scenes of celebration among the Fulham fans.

Leicester tried to retaliate and Heskey had a good chance to put them back on level terms within two minutes but he sent his header straight at Taylor.

Foxes substitute Gunnlaugsson then beat the Fulham offside trap to get on the end of a cross from Theo Zagorakis but his control let him down and the ball drifted out of play.

That was to prove costly for with 15 minutes left Fulham doubled their lead with Walsh again at fault.

He was in space and under no pressure but inexplicably passed the ball straight into the path of Peschisolido who was left with a free run of goal.

Taggart managed to get in a challenge but the ball broke to Horsfield who was able to side-foot the ball into an unguarded net.

Leicester looked beaten but never write off a side managed by Martin O'Neill and they somehow managed to salvage an impossible looking situation and force the tie into extra-time.

In the 85th minute Stefan Oakes floated over a cross which Walsh headed down to Marshall and his bicycle kick flew past Taylor.

Then two minutes later the home side drew level - with Marshall this time the provider for Walsh.

Taggart's long ball was flicked on by Marshall to Walsh at the far post and he steadied himself before drilling an unstoppable left-footed shot past Taylor.

Fulham were stunned but within three minutes of the start of extra-time they regained the lead courtesy of Coleman after some slack Leicester defending.

Finnan sent in an inswinging corner and Coleman was first to react at the near post with a backward glancing header which flew past Arphexad.

Only seconds before the goal Coleman had gone close with another header which had been cleared off the line by Gunnlaugsson.

But Leicester refused to buckle and with nine minutes remaining Marshall struck for the second time to make it 3-3.

This time Elliott was the provider as he held the ball up before turning the ball into the path of Marshall.

The Fulham defence backed off and the veteran striker needed no second invitation as he drilled a low left footed shot past Taylor into the corner of the net to set up another penalty shoot-out thriller for the Foxes.

Teams:

Leicester: Arphexad, Sinclair, Taggart, Walsh, Elliott, Impey (Gunnlaugsson 53), Savage, Oakes (Fenton 120), Zagorakis (Gilchrist 105), Marshall, Heskey.

Subs Not Used: Flowers, Thomas.

Goals: Marshall 85, Walsh 87, Marshall 111.

Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Melville, Coleman, Symons, Morgan, Trollope, Collins, Hayward, Horsfield, Peschisolido (Brevett 80).

Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Uhlenbeek, Selley, Brooker.

Booked: Hayward, Horsfield, Finnan, Brevett.

Goals: Peschisolido 58, Horsfield 75, Coleman 92.

Att: 13,576

Ref: M Reed (Birmingham).