Midfielder Andy Roberts set Wimbledon on their way to a hard earned win over Leicester at Selhurst Park that further eased their relegation worries.

It was his first goal for the club in only his second game since a £1.6million move from Crystal Palace.

Roberts gave Wimbledon the early lead in the 14th minute with a deflected strike and although Robbie Savage pulled a goal back for the visitors 12 minutes into the second half after an error by keeper Neil Sullivan, Michael Hughes wrapped up a much-needed victory just five minutes later.

Former Palace captain Roberts seemed to have simply swapped one relegation battle for another when he moved from bottom of the table Selhurst Park landlords Palace to 15th placed tenants Wimbledon last week.

But his first goal of the season - after failing to score in 30 games at Palace - helped secure one of the three victories that Dons boss Joe Kinnear has said his team still needed before the start of the game.

Wimbledon had stated their attacking intentions from the start by recalling Marcus Gayle to play up front alongside Carl Leaburn and Jason Euell with captain Vinnie Jones and Ben Thatcher both injured.

They had only a missed header from Leaburn to show for their early efforts before Roberts struck.

His 20 yard shot deflected off the foot of Leicester's Theo Zagorakis as the Greek midfielder tried to tackle him and the ball looped over the head of the helpless Kasey Keller into the net.

The victory, which meant Wimbledon had completed their second "double" of the season, following two wins over Aston Villa, further hampered Leicester's hopes of a UEFA cup spot.

Martin O'Neill's side, who had unhappy memories of Selhurst Park after being knocked out of the FA Cup there by Palace in January, had started the day in ninth spot and needing to make up ground.

They recalled striker Steve Claridge from a loan spell at Portsmouth to partner Emil Heskey and moved fit again Ian Marshall back into defence to replace suspended centre back Matt Elliott, while midfielder Muzzy Izzet was also banned.

Although they had the first chance when Sullivan parried a shot from Heskey, it was not until Savage's third goal of the season that they got back on level terms following Wimbledon's opener.

Wing-back Savage benefited from Sullivan's mistake in dropping a hanging free kick by Stephen Guppy and as the keeper struggled to recover, the Leicester defender turned and struck the ball for the first time into the far corner.

Yet Wimbledon, who had replaced Euell with fit a midfielder Robbie Earle at the break, fought back and were ahead again on 62 minutes.

Zagorakis failed to tackle Gayle properly as the striker advanced on goal and he managed to slip the ball across the box to the unmarked Hughes, who finished first time with a flourish.

The game, which had begun as a stop-start affair unsurprisingly full of endeavour but somewhat short of finesse livened up considerably in the closing stages.

Sullivan redeemed himself when he produced a wonderful save to deny Claridge, diving full length to his left to tip away the striker's powerful drive from 15 yards out, and substitute Julian Watts headed a corner just over.

At the other end, Keller was called upon to parry a Leaburn header and Marshall was relieved to clear a dangerous cross-cum-shot from Earle.

But it was Wimbledon hanging on at the end, with their fans relieved that referee Mike Riley turned down a late appeal for a penalty when Heskey claimed he had been tripped inside the area.

Teams:

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Blackwell, Roberts, Gayle, Perry, M. Hughes, Ardley, Euell (Earle 46), Leaburn.

Subs Not Used: C. Hughes, Heald, Reeves, Clarke.

Booked: Roberts, Blackwell.

Goals: Roberts 14, M. Hughes 62.

Leicester: Keller, Walsh (Watts 14), Lennon, Claridge, Heskey, Savage, Prior, Ullathorne, Marshall (Wilson 81), Guppy, Zagorakis.

Subs Not Used: Campbell, Fenton, Arphexad.

Booked: Savage.

Goals: Savage 57.

Att: 13,229

Ref: M A Riley (Leeds).