When their manager's job looked in peril a deputation of Leicester City players pleaded with the board to give him a chance. Last night Peter Taylor's team again backed words with action as an early goal from Matt Jones promised them their second Premiership win in three days.

But then, with just five minutes of normal time left, Paul Ince pounced on a loose ball in the area and fired home the equaliser and two minutes later Jonathan Greening scored the winner.

Middlesbrough were awful before half-time but much improved thereafter, when the introduction of Carlos Marinelli for the injured Dean Windass gave their football fresh purpose.

With Muzzy Izzet unfit, Leicester's hopes of another victory appeared to rest heavily with Dennis Wise and Robbie Savage providing the craft to go with their collective aggression. It was Wise's ball which led to Leicester taking the lead after 10 minutes, although poor goalkeeping by Mark Schwarzer was largely responsible.

Gathering a pass from Wise, Callum Davidson drove in a strong but hardly uncatchable shot from some 35 yards. Schwarzer, however, failed to hold it and Jones pounced on the rebound to score his first goal for Leicester - and his first in the Premiership - since joining them from Leeds United.

One-goal leads are always recoverable, and twice in three minutes Stefan Oakes, who had replaced Jones, exposed Boro with quick, long balls but neither Akinbiyi nor Savage could beat Schwarzer.

LEICESTER CITY (3-5-2): Walker; Marshall, Elliott, Davidson; Sinclair, Savage, Wise, Jones (Oakes, h-t), Johnstone; Sturridge, Akinbiyi.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Fleming, Ehiogu,Southgate, Cooper; Greening, Ince, Mustoe, Johnstone; Deane, Windass (Marinelli, h-t).

Referee: N Barry