Nationwide League beckons for Foxes

Charlton 2 Leicester 2

Leicester were relegated from the Premiership tonight despite drawing 2-2 at Charlton, where they had defender Nikos Dabizas sent off.

Marcus Bent had given the Foxes hope with an early strike, but Jonathan Fortune equalised at the start of the second half.

Dabizas was then dismissed by referee Rob Styles after what had looked minimal contact on Jonatan Johansson just inside the area and Paolo di Canio dispatched the resulting penalty with 14 minutes left.

There was still time for Les Ferdinand to equalise with a well-struck free-kick, but it was not enough to keep Leicester up as Manchester City had beaten Newcastle.

With virtually their first attack, Leicester took the lead on five minutes.

The ball broke to Bent outside the penalty area on the right. He was allowed the time and space to turn before exchanging a one-two with Muzzy Izzet and releasing a precision 20-yard curling drive with the outside of his boot up over Dean Kiely and into the far corner.

Charlton, who had lost their last two matches, immediately looked to up the tempo. But the final delivery left much to be desired.

On 20 minutes, Izzet was penalised for barging Jason Euell some 25 yards from goal.

With di Canio and Matt Holland both standing over the ball, Charlton instead opted to roll it sideways into the path of the on-rushing Luke Young, only for Paul Dickov to close him down and make the block.

Steffen Freund almost conjured an opening for himself as the half-hour approached when he collected a short pass from Dickov and flicked it up over a static Charlton back line. But he was unable to get enough contact on his half-volley to trouble Kiely.

The home crowd were becoming more impatient as Charlton again failed to find a decisive pass after promising approach play, this time di Canio unable to pick out a team-mate after holding the ball up well in the box.

Jordan Stewart then went down on the edge of the Charlton box after clashing with Graham Stuart and di Canio was booked by Styles for his animated protest.

Izzet whipped the free-kick across the six-yard box, but Dickov’s flicked back-header flew wide of the far post.

Johansson was released behind the defence following a break by Euell on 40 minutes. But Walker, hoping for a call-up into England’s Euro 2004 squad, got down quickly to make the save low to his right.

Alan Curbishley looked to apply some width to his side in the second half when he brought on former Arsenal youngster Jerome Thomas for his first-team debut in place of Paul Konchesky on the left.

However, the home side failed to find any inspiration in the final third. Johansson broke free inside the box after a tussle with Dabizas, only to find no-one in support when he played the loose ball back across goal.

The Addicks were level just moments later, though, when Fortune was left unmarked at the far post from a corner to give Walker no chance with a close-range header on 53 minutes.

The home fans were quick to let Leicester’s travelling contingent know Manchester City were winning at home to Newcastle, which if it finished that way would seal the Foxes fate regardless of what happened here.

Charlton were seeing more and more of the ball now, but again their final delivery was poor, Thomas sending in a low cross when a flighted pass towards the back post was needed.

Styles incurred the wrath of the home crowd when he ruled Johansson had fouled Heath on the the by-line.

Ferdinand came on for Peter Canero after 72 minutes as Adams looked to salvage something from the game. However, Leicester were behind moments later.

Johansson got ahead of Dabizas as the pair tussled for possession. The Finland striker went down after what appeared minimal contact.

It was enough to convince Styles, though, who awarded a penalty and sent the Greek defender off.

Di Canio nonchalantly dispatched the spot-kick as Charlton were left considering a push for Europe and Leicester at the prospect of life back in the Nationwide League.

With 12 minutes left, Steve Guppy came on for Dickov.

Di Canio was replaced by Chris Perry with a couple of minutes left – and the defender had barely run onto the pitch when Leicester equalised.

Ferdinand drove a free-kick straight through the wall and past Kiely from the edge of the area, but it was not enough to keep them up.