Leicester 2-1 Blackpool

Matty Fryatt's brace either side of half-time ensured visiting manager Ian Holloway endured an unhappy return to the Walkers Stadium this afternoon, as his Blackpool side were beaten 2-1.

Charlie Adam had levelled things up for the Seasiders five minutes after Fryatt's opener, but a defensive lapse proved costly for Holloway as Fryatt capitalised to grab all three points.

Manager Nigel Pearson brought winger Lloyd Dyer back into the fold in the only change from the defeat at Newcastle, as he replaced Paul Gallagher on the left hand side.

The sunshine reflected an entertaining first half in which both sides stated their intentions to attack. Leicester began the game in bright fashion, crafting the opening opportunities. Matty Fryatt and Dany N'Guessan both came close in the early stages, but the scoreline remained goalless.

Blackpool hit back soon afterwards when Keith Southern's shot came back off the post. Goalkeeper Chris Weale was on hand immediately after to deny Jason Euell's follow up to keep the home side on level terms.

Weale's save proved to be vital, as City hit back immediately with a goal after 26 minutes. Richie Wellens' quick free-kick was too much for Blackpool to handle as it found its way through to Fryatt, the striker making no mistake of finding the bottom corner.

However, Leicester's lead was short-lived as some slack defending cost them their winning position. Wayne Brown's horrible attempt at a pass-back was gratefully intercepted by Charlie Adam, whose one-two with Jason Euell resulted in the equaliser for the visitors.

It was frustrating for City who have looked comfortable at the back all season long, not least Brown himself. They soon came close immediately afterwards through captain Matt Oakley's brilliant free-kick, the post denying him on this occassion.

The first half ended on level terms, as the score read one apiece at the break.

The second half was not the entertaining, open spectacle of the first, as both sides huffed and puffed to create opportunities. Passing from both sides was poor, but it was Leicester who were continuing to emerge as the better side.

Wellens and Oakley were the only players coming remotely close for City, with Euell's header for Blackpool coming in reply for the Seasiders.

Fryatt was thanking his lucky stars in the 58th minute, as Rob Edwards gifted him the simple task of rounding Paul Rachubka to restore Leicester's lead. It was subsequently his 50th goal for the club, since joining from Walsall in 2007.

Thereafter it was simply a case of continuing to keep Blackpool at bay, as the visitors failed to test goalkeeper Chris Weale for the duration of the match.

Steve Howard could and possibly should have extended City's lead after Matty Fryatt's fine cut-back, but the striker's wayward attempt escalated over the bar.

There was time for one potentially fatal scare from Blackpool, as Ben Burgess' shot was deflected agonisingly wide of the post with the game dying out. However, Leicester managed to hold on for a deserved win, adding to a home record which now stretches to a whole year unbeaten.

Leicester: Weale; Neilson, Hobbs, Brown, Berner, N'Guessan, Oakley, Wellens, Dyer, Fryatt, Howard. Subs: McGivern, A King (63 for Dyer), Logan, Adams, Waghorn (72 for Howard), Kermorgant, Gallagher (88 for Fryatt).

Blackpool: Rachubka; Eardley, Edwards, Evatt, Crainey, Southern, Adam, Euell, Ormerod, Burgess, Emmanuel-Thomas. Subs: Gilks, Bangura, Clarke (72 for Euell), Vaughan (86 for Southern), Martin, Baptiste, Bouazza (72 for Ormerod).

Att: 22,827.