Nigel Pearson hails Leicester City's vital win over Doncaster

Delighted Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said the result was all-important after watching his side claim an excellent 1-0 victory at Doncaster Rovers last night.

The 1-0 win at the Keepmoat Stadium, courtesy of Martyn Waghorn's seventh goal of the season after just 12 minutes, meant City moved into fifth place in the Championship and put pressure on their play-off rivals.

It was also one of two games City had in hand on many of the sides around them and Pearson said it was vital they took points from those outstanding fixtures.

"It was one of our games in hand and, when you get the three points, it is very pleasing," he said. "We have had some difficult fixtures away recently so it was important for us to get a good result.

"The important thing is we have taken advantage of the game in hand. We have tried to get this one out of the way and it is pleasing to get this result.

"We have kept a clean sheet as well. It wasn't always a slick game. There were tough conditions out there but we have stuck at it. When we have needed to be resilient, we have done it.

"It is about results at this stage of the season. We have been around the play-off places all year but now it is about doing all we can to finish the season as well as possible."

Waghorn's goal, which came on the break after a big clearance from goalkeeper Chris Weale, arrived during a superb opening spell for City and Pearson hailed the impact of his on-loan striker.

He added that it had been shown several times this season that, when a team have set-plays, they can be susceptible to the counter-attack. He added: "We executed it really well. It was a great ball out and Waggy really did show a lot of composure to score the goal.

"It turned out to be the winner but we started the game unbelievably well and I think the first 20 minutes were as good as we have played this season. We really did put down a marker at the start of the game and it set the scene for a good win.

"Waghorn has shown that strength a lot this season. I think he has seven now and you have to remember he is only just 20. He has done really well for us and it is good experience for him. I think, importantly for us, he is a different type of player to what we have already.

"All the players have played their part tonight and it was good to be able to change it to freshen it up."