Resilience is the characteristic that defines Martin O'Neill's Leicester side and last night they displayed it in abundance.

But his under-rated Leicester team also have plenty of skill and they showed it last night, Tony Cottee delivering two of the highest-class finishes possible in giving them a victory that should ensure progression to a second League Cup final in three years.

After Cottee had stroked in his second, just past the hour, another final appearance looked guaranteed, but 15 minutes from time a bizarre goal from Gavin McCann breathed life into the second leg and it is a goal that gives Sunderland hope.

It was hope Sunderland had lost when Cottee's second went in, but McCann's effort led to a frantic climax and manager Peter Reid said the three-week gap before the return will give players such as Allan Johnston and Kevin Phillips time to improve their fitness.

Both have just come back from injury and against a tough, fast team such as Leicester it was obvious. Phillips and Johnston were peripheral figures and Niall Quinn, to whom the most inviting Sunderland openings fell, had an off night in front of goal.

For half an hour Sunderland matched Leicester in a hectic midfield and when they fell behind, it was due to Cottee's class rather than any defensive mistake. When a Frank Sinclair centre came in from the right the 33-year-old Cottee was simply quicker than all of those around him and he flashed a leftfoot volley past Thomas Sorensen.

With Sunderland struggling to gain any momentum Leicester began to enforce their superiority. Sorensen produced a brilliant fingertip save to deny a surprisingly good header from Muzzy Izzet before half-time and after the interval Izzet squandered a great opportunity when put through by Cottee.

Izzet atoned for that untypical moment of rashness on the hour, though not in the most convincing manner: his shot from 20 yards was never going to trouble Sorensen, but Andy Melville, in attempting to clear the danger, only found Cottee.

Cottee advanced a couple of steps before curling the ball around Sorensen into the bottom corner.

It seemed ominous for Sunderland then, but McCann was yet to produce his freak reply. Wide on the left and 40 yards from goal, McCann sent in a direct free-kick. Those challenging for it missed it, the ball sailed on, bounced and hit the top corner with Keller stranded.

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Gray, Ball, Melville, Butler, McCann, Clark (Smith 64), Quinn, Phillips, Johnston (Summerbee 64). Subs Not Used: Craddock, Marriott, Dichio. Goals: McCann 75.

Leicester: Keller, Elliott, Walsh, Taggart, Sinclair (Kaamark 61), Izzet, Lennon, Ullathorne, Guppy, Cottee, Heskey (Wilson 59). Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Zagorakis, Parker. Booked: Lennon. Goals: Cottee 30, 62. Att: 38,332.

Referee: G Barber (Pyrford).