Taylor preserves Pompey’s two-point cushion

Leicester 1 Portsmouth 1

Trevor Benjamin had put Leicester on course to take over the top spot with the only goal of a frenetic first half.

Visitors Portsmouth went into this top-of-the-table clash looking to extend their lead over second-placed Leicester to five points, but could only earn a draw through Taylor’s 65th minute equaliser.

Portsmouth’s Arjan De Zeeuw endured a bittersweet return to Nationwide Division One action.

De Zeeuw made his return to fitness with his first start since sustaining a knee injury against Watford on New Year’s Day.

But fortune was not to favour the Pompey defender who saw his attempted clearance rebound from City’s Paul Dickov and present Benjamin with a golden opportunity to draw first blood for the hosts.

It was Benjamin’s first goal at the Walkers Stadium.

But Portsmouth struck for the equaliser in the 65th minute from Taylor to maintain their two point cushion at the top and still well on course for promotion.

LEICESTER: Walker, Sinclair, Elliott, Taggart, Rogers, McKinlay, Izzet, Davidson, Scowcroft, Dickov (Wright 83), Benjamin (Summerbee 74).

PORTSMOUTH: Hislop, Primus, Foxe, De Zeeuw, Harper, Sherwood, Quashie, Taylor, Merson, Ayegbini (Pericard 80), Todorov (Diabate 90).

Referee: M Pike (Cumbria).