Leicester hung on to Division One leaders Portsmouth with a stunning strike from Paul Dickov which rescued the Foxes from a dismal performance against Crystal Palace at the Walkers Stadium.
Micky Adams' side, who face a massive fixture at home to Pompey in a fortnight's time, kicked off just two points behind the south-coast club but looked desperately short of ideas until Dickov's screaming strike settled the match with 13 minutes left.
Palace had their chances and dominated the hosts for long periods but Trevor Francis must now lift his squad before Wednesday night's FA Cup replay with Liverpool.
Leicester responded to their hammering at Wolves last weekend by outclassing Reading in midweek but, having made the first opportunity, Adams' players were given an early scare by one of the division's form teams.
Foxes defender Callum Davidson missed the target with an ambitious shot from 18 yards, and Palace quickly broke up field before finding striker Andrew Johnson, whose volley rose narrowly over the bar.
Talented midfielder Tommy Black, still fighting for a new contract at Selhurst Park, was causing problems for Leicester's full-backs and his dangerous cross after eight minutes forced an excellent catch from goalkeeper Ian Walker.
The former England international was the busier of the two keepers although neither Walker nor Palace's Cedric Berthelin were seriously tested in a surprisingly poor opening 20 minutes, which failed to see a shot on target.
The absence of Brian Deane was clearly affecting Leicester up front and the strike pairing of Dickov and Trevor Benjamin were hardly involved, and Palace again went close through Johnson with 33 minutes gone.
The forward, one of the few players on the pitch who looked capable of forcing a goal, found space and curled an effort goalwards which drifted past Walker's right-hand post.
James Scowcroft was given a rare moment of freedom to head Muzzy Izzet's corner into the crowd eight minutes before half-time, but seconds later it took a brilliant stop from Walker to stop Palace taking a deserved lead into the break.
Hayden Mullins ran at the City defence and drove a low shot at Walker, who reacted brilliantly to knock the ball away with his legs.
And though Izzet also had a late attempt on goal, Berthelin matched a good shot with a comfortable save.
Adams' attempts to get his side going at half-time yielded little response and Walker was soon under threat again, Danny Butterfield crashing a long-range shot wide under no pressure from Leicester's back line.
However, Palace were almost punished for some poor marking on the hour when another corner from Izzet found the head of Matt Elliott, who was only denied a goal by a desperate clearance off the line.
Scowcroft then directed a six-yard header straight at Berthelin with the goal gaping as the Foxes began to find their form, and the opening goal which had looked so unlikely finally came with 13 minutes left.
Dickov, who had been ineffective all afternoon, drove a fabulous shot beyond Berthelin and into the top corner of the net to earn his 15th goal of the season and a result which flattered the title contenders.
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