Leicester come into the game on the back of a defeat at Norwich but in much better form of late under new boss Rob Kelly.

The game was short of chances early on and the first didn't come until the 16^th minute when Stephen Hughes attempted to beat Gabor Kiraly but shot straight at him whilst it some five minutes later before the keeper was troubled at the other end. Paul Henderson saved low down from Ben Watson's shot from the edge of the box.

Just on the half hour Palace looked in a great position down the left as Michael Hughes did well to rob Gareth Williams but with Clinton Morrison and Andrew Johnson in the box his cross come shot was cut out by Henderson.

The match went through a period which seemed to be broken up by offsides and the whistle of referee Graham Laws as the play was not flowing as well as both sides would have hoped.

Four minutes before the break though and the deadlock broken as the home side make the most of hesitant defending. Darren Ward was beaten to the ball by Iain Hume and his cross was touched into the net from close range by Andy Welsh. The visitors will be disappointed to concede in this fashion not only so close to the break but were guilty of giving The Foxes the chance as they failed to clear.

In the closing minutes of the half physio Paul Caton was called upon to treat Morrison after he had having collided with his marker and he had to be replaced at the break by Dougie Freedman. 

Palace started the second half in a good positive frame of mind trying to get back on level terms. Johnson had a shot from distance which went just wide of Henderson's post and Watson struck the ball on the volley but the effort was held by the 'keeper.

The visitors were having the better share of possession in this opening fifteen minutes of the half but were not able to break down a home defence who have grown in confidence in recent weeks.

Dowie's side kept going forward to try and get back on level terms and Tom Soares headed wide at the far post from an excellent cross by Jobi McAnuff while the supplier very nearly hit the target with the next move as he saw his low drive go into the side netting.

The home sides chances were few and far between and their first real effort of note didn't come until just over twenty minutes into the second period although this was a shot from Hume which was never going to trouble Kiraly as it went high and wide.

Two changes were made from the bench on 76 minutes as Marco Reich and Jon Macken were introduced at the expense of Ward and Soares.

It was now Macken and Johnson up front with Freedman just behind but the job was made harder when the lead increased at the other end. With just four minutes remaining Stephen Hughes had no trouble in slotting home number two. Fryatt beat his man and played the ball through and the goalscorer sealed the points for his team with only Kiraly to beat as the 'keeper could only watch the effort go to his right hand side.

The match started with Palace knowing a win would move them third but the goals in each half extended the home sides unbeaten run at The Walkers Stadium to six matches and clear of any relegation worries.

Booked: Fitz Hall, Freedman.