Martyn Waghorn fires Leicester City to victory over Doncaster

Leicester City moved into fifth place in the Championship and stretched their unbeaten run to seven as they held on for a vital 1-0 win at Doncaster last night.

Martyn Waghorn's seventh goal of the season after 12 minutes proved enough for City to strengthen their claims to a play-off place.

This was one of City's games in hand on their promotion rivals and it was important that they won.

But they had to mount another impressive rearguard action in the second half, with goalkeeper Chris Weale in outstanding form.

City have now not lost any of the 15 games this season in which they have scored the opening goal.

Manager Nigel Pearson had hinted that he would make changes to freshen up his side after a punishing sequence of games and he rested captain Matt Oakley and striker Paul Gallagher.

Nolberto Solano had stated during the week that he needed games to gain his match-fitness and he was handed his first start in midfield, while Dany N'Guessan replaced Gallagher in a three-man attack.

City fans did not have to stretch their memories too far to recall the last meeting between the two sides, although it was not a particularly memorable affair.

Rovers frustrated City at the Walkers Stadium just a fortnight ago and drew criticism from Pearson for their negative style.

The fixture was most notable for the injury top-scorer Matty Fryatt received after a collision with Rovers captain Brian Stock.

Fryatt may not play again this season after having surgery on a double fracture of the jaw.

Stock was also missing because of a back injury from last night's game, which went ahead only after supporters answered a call from the club to help clear the Keepmoat pitch of snow 24 hours earlier.

Fryatt's absence has provided Waghorn with the opportunity to enhance his reputation as City's main striker and he has relished the role.

It was the 20-year-old who rewarded City after a brisk start with the vital goal after 12 minutes when he outmuscled Rovers stand-in captain Gareth Roberts to latch on to a long punt upfield from Chris Weale before producing an excellent finish past keeper Neil Sullivan.

The goal came within seconds of Rovers nearly taking the lead when Mark Wilson headed an Elliott Ward cross straight at Weale after Rovers had caught City napping with a short corner.

It would have been harsh on City had the hosts taken the lead because they were the better side in the first 25 minutes with Solano pulling all the strings.

The Peruvian went close in the second minute with a free-kick that just clipped the top of the wall. That led to a sequence of corners and, from the third, Michael Morrison almost scored with a close-range header.

Solano then dissected the Rovers defence with a superb pass to put Lloyd Dyer through on goal but Sullivan saved well with his legs.

Rovers did grow in stature and began to enjoy long spells of possession without really threatening Weale's goal, although Jordan Mutch went close with a low drive from the edge of the box and James Coppinger warmed Weale's hands on a bitterly cold night with another stinging shot.

The hosts also thought they should have had a numerical advantage when Bruno Berner pulled down Billy Sharp after the Rovers striker was racing towards goal after a Dyer mistake.

The City left-back was the last defender but the tackle was a long way from goal and he received only a yellow card as a result. However, City looked the more likely to add to their lead on the break and Richie Wellens and Andy King both went close.

City were put under considerable pressure at the start of the second half and Weale almost single-handedly kept his side in front with some great saves from Sharp and substitute James Hayter.

Pearson responded by making a double substitution, swapping Gallagher for N'Guessan and Nicky Adams for Solano.

It almost paid immediate dividends when King played Adams in behind the Rovers defence but he failed to pick out a team-mate with a poor cross.

But Rovers were in the ascendency and Weale produced another excellent save from James Coppinger, and then Roberts, as the hooped tide swept forward.

City almost snatched a second after a great pass from Gallagher released fellow substitute Adams but Sullivan produced an excellent one-handed save. Then, Morrison again headed over from close range at the near post from a Waghorn corner.

Weale was almost beaten in the 80th minute – but by his own player as Wayne Brown slid in to intercept a dangerous low cross and hit the side-netting. Weale again produced another fantastic brave save at the feet of Sharp with the minutes ticking away and he received excellent cover in the final moments as City held on for an impressive victory.

Doncaster: Sullivan, Chambers, Ward, O'Connor, Roberts, Oster, Wilson (Guy 82), Mutch (Spicer 82), Shiels (Hayter 46), Coppinger, Sharp. Subs not used: Smith, Hird, Dumbuya.

City: Weale, Morrison, Hobbs, Brown, Berner, King, Solano (Adams 60), Wellens, Dyer, Waghorn, N'Guessan (Gallagher 60). Subs not used: Logan, McGivern, Howard, Kermorgant, Bruce.

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).

Attendance: 11,027

Booking: Berner (City).

Goal: Waghorn 12 (min).