Recent signing Dean Sturridge helped Leicester clinch their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 19 years.

The former Derby player scored the first goal and then pressurised Bristol defender Matthew Hill into conceding the second as the Foxes comfortably disposed of their Second Division opponents.

Peter Taylor's side had already slipped up on one banana skin this season when they were dumped out of the Worthington Cup by Crystal Palace.

But there was never any chance of a repeat embarrassment after two goals in the first 15 minutes left the West Country side with a mountain to climb.

The man of the match was Robbie Savage, who turned in a sparkling performance in the centre of the park for Leicester.

He was his usual bundle of non-stop energy but also sprayed the ball around effectively.

The Welsh international is desperate to play in the first FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff - and it is showing in his displays.

In the previous round he played at Aston Villa after having an emergency operation on his foot to remove broken glass the night before the game.

Steve Guppy made the most of the space afforded him on the left flank as he sent over a string of teasing crosses while Frank Sinclair also raided forward down the right flank to telling effect after the break.

But, while Leicester won comfortably enough in the end, Bristol can take plenty of pride from their performance.

And, if Lady Luck had been on their side, they might have given Leicester more of a fright with Brian Tinnion and Mickey Bell both hitting the crossbar with free-kicks.

Tinnion, who scored the goal which earned Bristol a famous victory at Liverpool seven years ago, showed he still has a cultured left foot while Scott Murray got forward to good effect on the right.

On this display Danny Wilson's side, who needed a replay to dispose of non-league Kingstonian, certainly look a good bet for at least a Division Two play-off spot.

Wilson must be sick of the sight of Taylor as he was manager of Sheffield Wednesday when they were dumped out of the competition by giant-killers Gillingham last season.

Leicester were soon into their stride. forcing a series of corners in the opening 10 minutes, but it was home keeper Simon Royce who was first called into action to save a Tony Thorpe effort away to his left.

The Foxes broke the deadlock after 10 minutes with Sturridge on target for the second successive Saturday.

Guppy was the creator and he had time and space to deliver and inviting cross from the left of the penalty area to Sturridge, who headed past Steve Phillips at the far post.

Bristol refused to buckle after this early setback and the cultured left foot of Tinnion almost brought them an equaliser within 60 seconds.

His 25-yard free-kick beat Royce all ends up but crashed back to safety off the crossbar.

In the 15th minute the visitors were left with a mountain to climb after an unfortunate own goal from Matthew Hill.

The build-up was similar to the first goal with Sturridge challenging to get on the end of a left-wing centre from Guppy - but it was Hill who made contact as he headed past his own keeper.

Bristol continued to probe and for a spell the Foxes defence looked surprisingly edgy.

Royce made a superb save to prevent former Aston Villa midfielder Scott Murray reducing the arrears after a shot from Louis Carey had deflected off Matt Elliott into his path.

Leicester then enjoyed a spell leading up to half-time of almost total dominance with Guppy and former Bristol striker Ade Akinbiyi going close.

But still the West Country side asked questions of the home rearguard and Royce did well to turn a header from Peacock around the post following a cross from Hill.

Bristol started the second half in a positive mood as they sought the goal which would give their hopes a lifeline.

But it was Leicester who went close to killing off the tie after Izzet robbed Bell and went on a 50-yard run.

He eventually found Sturridge, who turned the ball into the path of Akinbiyi - but he tried to sidefoot the ball past Phillips and the goalkeeper was able to block his shot.

The former Wolves player was then denied again by Phillips after Guppy had headed a Sinclair cross into his path.

Savage deserved a goal for his efforts and only a superb save from Phillips denied him when he turned a close-range volley around the post.

Bell then became the second Bristol player to be denied by the woodwork as his 25-yard free-kick cannoned out of play off the bar.

With eight minutes left the unfortunate Hill handled a cross from Sinclair - and Izzet did the rest from the penalty spot.

Teams:

Leicester: Royce, Sinclair, Guppy, Rowett, Davidson, Elliott (Oakes 84), Jones, Savage, Izzet, Akinbiyi (Benjamin 85), Sturridge (Gunnlaugsson 85).

Subs Not Used: Flowers, Delaney.

Booked: Elliott.

Goals: Sturridge 10, Hill 15 og, Izzet 83 pen.

Bristol City: Phillips, Murray, Bell, Carey, Hill, Millen, Clist, Tinnion, Aaron Brown, Peacock, Thorpe.

Subs Not Used: Beadle, Burnell, Goodridge, Amankwaah, Malessa.

Booked: Tinnion, Millen.

Att: 20,905

Ref: P Durkin (Dorset).