Hayles strikes as struggling Foxes snatch vital win

Leicester 1 Crystal Palace 0

Hayles bundled home from close range with a minute to go. Foxes striker Steve Howard wasted chances in both halves while Hayles had a first-half penalty claim waved away.

In injury time DJ Campbell nearly made it 2-0, hitting the side-netting.

It was Palace’s first defeat since October 29.

LEICESTER: Alnwick, Stearman (N’Gotty 62), Kisnorbo, McAuley, Mattock, Hume (Campbell 76), Clemence, Oakley, Laczko (Bori 77), Howard, Hayles.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni, Halls, Hudson, Lawrence, Hill, Scannell (Kuqi 77), Watson, Derry (Moses 90), Soares, Morrison, Scowcroft.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).

Last night’s results: African Nations Cup: Group A: Ghana 2 (Essien, Muntari) Morocco 0, Guinea (Youla) 1 Namibia (Brendell) 1.

Scottish Cup fourth round: Airdrie Utd 0 Kilmarnock 2. Fourth round replays: Brechin 2 Hamilton 1 aet (1-1 90 mins), Gretna 0 Morton 3.