Mustafa Izzet filched victory from under Leeds's noses at Filbert Street last night to give his manager more than one reason to be cheerful.

In the 88th minute, Izzet equalised Harry Kewell's 18th-minute goal, lobbing home from fully 30 yards after seizing on a headed clearance from outside the penalty area by Nigel Martyn. Three minutes later, Izzet was brought down by Robert Molenaar; Garry Parker converted the penalty.

It was just Martin O'Neill's luck, he noted, that, just three weeks after reluctantly giving up any hope of succeeding George Graham as manager of Leeds, Leicester's manager found his side pitted against the men from Elland Road. The result could scarcely have been more satisfying.

But O'Neill still appears to have the greater task on his hands and certainly does not have the funds at David O'Leary's disposal.

Leicester were again without Tony Cottee because of a thigh injury and Steve Walsh was pushed forward to partner Emile Heskey.

Walsh, though, would have been more use in defence as Leeds made the early running, looking to end a sequence of three successive 1-0 defeats by Leicester.

That view was reinforced when Leeds were presented with an early gift. Bruno Ribeiro, playing his first game since his UEFA Cup dismissal against Roma, provided an innocuous cross from the right and Kewell produced an equally harmless header which Kasey Keller inexplicably allowed to bounce over him.

Leicester's best opportunity to equalise in the half saw Neil Lennon's rising shot from 25 yards touched over by Nigel Martyn. Late or not, Izzet eventually made amends.

Leicester City: Keller; Sinclair, Elliott, Ullathorne; Savage, Zagorakis (Parker, h-t), Lennon, Izzet, Guppy; Walsh, Heskey (Wilson, h-t).

Leeds United: Martyn; Hiden, Woodgate, Molenaar, Harte; Ribeiro, Bowyer, Hopkin, Kewell; Wijnhard, Hasselbaink.

Referee: P Durkin (Portland).