Premiership: Leicester hold Newcastle to a draw

Leicester 0 Newcastle 0

Leicester City produced a never-say-die performance in a goalless draw with Newcastle at Filbert Street.

Dave Bassett's side could easily have collected only their second home victory of the season had Muzzy Izzet and Ade Akinbiyi not spurned golden chances.

And when Newcastle did threaten - most notably in the final third of the game - they found it hard to crack a Leicester defence in which Frank Sinclair was in outstanding form.

Their most potent threat came from Laurent Robert and little was seen of Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy partnership which has produced 25 goals this season.

Leicester looked bright from the first whistle and Shay Given just about clung onto a low shot from Andrew Impey after he had cut in from the right and fired in a low left-footed effort.

Ian Walker was clearly struggling with a back problem from the early stages of the game and he was eventually replaced after 23 minutes by Tim Flowers who was making his first start since August.

Distin got an important block on a header from James Scowcroft at the near post following an Impey centre and then Nikos Dabizas made a crucial block to prevent Izzet from putting Leicester ahead.

It was a similar story in the second half although Laurent Robert dragged a low 25 yard effort just wide and Izzet missed a terrific chance to put City in front after 55 minutes.

Stefan Oakes' inswinging corner was met at the near post by Izzet but from inside the six yard area he put his header wide.

It was then Leicester's turn to have a let-off with Shearer missing the kind of opportunities he would normally convert.

Shearer timed his run perfectly to get on the end of a perfectly flighted ball from Robert but he sent his diving header wide.

But Akinbiyi could have won the game for City five minutes from time when Izzet knocked the ball to him at the far post but he was unable to keep his shot down.