Leicester take route one to victory

Derby County 1 Leicester City

Micky Adams, the Leicester City manager, was a relieved man after his side grabbed a welcome victory over Derby County in a breathless Championship encounter at Pride Park last night.

Micky Adams, the Leicester City manager, was a relieved man after his side grabbed a welcome victory over Derby County in a breathless Championship encounter at Pride Park last night.

The visitors had taken a first-half lead through Lilian Nalis and David Connolly had the chance to put Leicester 2-0 up only to see his penalty saved by Lee Camp in the Derby goal.

The Derby striker Marcus Tudgay restored parity midway through the second period by heading home Morten Bisgaard's right-wing corner. But Leicester stole the spoils thanks to Trevor Benjamin's route-one winner, Jamie Scowcroft working Ian Walker's goal-kick into the final third before the striker lashed an unstoppable drive into the back of the Derby net.

Adams said: "We played well, but only in patches. During the first-half we needed to pass the ball better but we did that in the second-half and got the penalty. Then it got saved, Derby were lifted and they got the equaliser. But Trevor came on and did a fantastic job for us and I'm pleased for him he got the goal ­ it was a great first touch, and of course, the second touch was even better." Victory maintained Leicester's unbeaten start to the season after they drew 0-0 with visiting West Ham on Saturday, while defeat left Derby with no points after the opening 1-0 loss at Leeds.

The Derby manager, George Burley, declared himself full of optimism: "I'm proud of the way we played," he said. "We produced some good stuff." And ahead of Saturday's match with visiting Ipswich, Burley's former club, he said: "A win over Ipswich is not imperative. Of course losing is always a bitter pill but we are not panicking."

Derby County: Camp, Kenna, Johnson, Huddlestone, Jackson, Bisgaard, Idiakez, Taylor, Reich (Tudgay 58), Junior (Peschisolido 75), Smith. Substitutes not used: Grant (gk), Mills, Bolder.

Leicester City: Walker, Makin, Dabizas, Keown, Wilcox (Gillespie 74), Scowcroft, Nalis (Gudjonsson 74), Williams, Stewart, Connolly, Blake (Benjamin 73). Substitutes not used: Pressman (gk), Gemmill.

Referee: G Laws (Tyne & Wear)