Tony Cottee's dream of a first major medal in 16 years as a professional is still alive after his goal sent Leicester into the Worthington Cup final on a night of double celebration for the Filbert Street club.

Cottee followed up his two-goal blast in the first leg at the Stadium of Light by scoring City's second-half equaliser after veteran striker Niall Quinn had given Sunderland a shock but deserved interval lead.

It took City through to their second league cup final in three years - and then came another massive boost for the club when Leicester City Council planners agreed "in principle" to give the green light to a new £25million stadium at the nearby Bede Island South site.

Planning officers did an 11th-hour U-turn in recommending the proposals should be approved - and after a three-hour meeting came a 10-3 vote in favour of the 40,000 stadium.

There had been widespread speculation that City manager Martin O'Neill would quit if the plans were rejected, but now all he has to worry about is next month's final with Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.

For the opening 45 minutes it did not look that way, though, as First Division leaders Sunderland seized the initiative in a bid to claw back a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.

But that man Cottee ended Sunderland's dreams and kept his own alive of adding to his only gong - a league cup medal from his spell in Malaysia which he rates so highly that it is still packed away in the loft of his London home.

The relief was enormous all around Filbert Street tonight. But even then Sunderland refused to lie down without a fight, and Kasey Keller had to make two tremendous saves in the last five minutes to deny Quinn.

The onus was on Sunderland to make all the positive moves, with Leicester aware that a 1-0 defeat would be sufficient to take them through to Wembley on the away goals rule.

Leicester threatened briefly when Muzzy Izzet's low shot was saved by Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, but the visitors quickly established a grip on proceedings.

The skill in midfield of Lee Clark, the industry of Kevin Ball and the trickery and pace on the right flank of Nicky Summerbee - who gave wing-back Steve Guppy a torrid time - posed constant problems for Leicester.

The hosts also struggled to combat the power in the air of Quinn as Sunderland started to create openings.

Quinn's first-time shot from the edge of the area flew just past the post, and the same player then headed wide at the far post following a dipping cross from Summerbee which eluded Gerry Taggart.

Keller saved a shot on the turn from Kevin Phillips, who had latched on to Clark's precise pass.

But Sunderland were not to denied and in the 34th minute deservedly drew level on aggregate. Fittingly it was the influential Clark and Quinn who combined to set up the goal.

Clark's right-wing centre picked out Quinn, who rose above Matt Elliott to send a downward header past Keller into the corner of the net.

Leicester were restricted to occasional counter-attacks but, apart from a looping Taggart header comfortably tipped over by Sorensen, they seldom threatened in the opening 45 minutes.

O'Neill clearly decided changes had to be made and for the second half he reverted from a 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 system, with Rob Savage replacing Taggart.

The switch paid dividends, City soon looking far more composed, and in the 54th minute Cottee struck gold for the third time in the tie.

Frank Sinclair played the ball back to Neil Lennon, who curled a first time cross into the box. Cottee was the first to react and from close range he volleyed wide of Sorensen for his 12th goal of the campaign.

Leicester then enjoyed a spell in control and finally seemed to have killed off Sunderland's sterling challenge.

But the Wearsiders found the energy for one last assault, and twice Keller thwarted Quinn at close range after he had again won his aerial battle with Elliott. The Foxes, though, managed to hold on amid wild scenes of celebration.

Sunderland can take consolation from the fact that on the evidence of their two clashes with Leicester and the FA Cup tie with Blackburn they will have few problems surviving in the Premiership if they secure promotion.

Leicester: Keller, Ullathorne, Sinclair, Elliott, Walsh, Taggart (Savage 46), Lennon, Izzet, Guppy, Cottee, Heskey.

Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Kaamark, Zagorakis, Marshall.

Goals: Cottee 54.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Gray, Ball, Melville, Butler, Summerbee (Dichio 84), Clark, Johnston, Phillips (Bridges 55),Quinn.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Williams, McCann.

Booked: Makin, Butler.

Goals: Quinn 34.

Agg (3-2)

Att: 21,231

Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).