A second-half winner from Iain Hume handed Leicester a 1-0 win at Barnsley and three priceless points in their relegation battle.His 10th goal of the season was about the only opening City had created that was on-target, while the Tykes were left to rue Martin Devaney being thwarted by the post in the first half.

Barnsley had much of the better chances in a tight encounter, even in the first half.

Skipper Brian Howard, making his return to the side, had already gone close before Diego Leon's trickery on the left wing nearly worked to their advantage in the 34th minute.

A trail of City defenders could not get the ball off him but, when he finally went to shoot, he pulled it across goal.

Only the post denied Barnsley in the 41st minute. The ball dropped to Devaney outside the area and he went for goal. His shot had the beating of Paul Henderson but hit the post and came back out.

Macken was rushing in to connect with the ball but lost his footing and put the ball wide.

The second half was a lot more open, as both sides went for the win they so badly needed.

Again it was the home side threatening first. Daniel Nardiello picked up the ball in the box with two defenders for company. He still managed to get a shot through and Henderson had to be down quick to palm the ball away at his near post.

Back came City and only substitute Barry Hayles will know how he did not open the scoring two minutes later. The ball came into the box with Lee Bell flicking it on to him at the far post, but he somehow put the ball wide.

There had been no threat from either side in a set-piece situation until Barnsley nearly took the lead on the hour.

Leon's corner from the right was met by the head of an unmarked Stephen Foster, with Henderson down quickly to palm the ball wide.

Not to be outdone, a set-piece for the visitors six minutes later saw them nearly nick a goal.

Bell's free kick into the box was only punched away by home goalkeeper Luke Steele to Patrick Kisnorbo, who blazed the ball over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

City had barely troubled Steele to that point but there was nothing he could do about the vital breakthrough in the 72nd minute.

The ball come into the box to Hayles, who poised himself to shoot, with Steele going to ground. He instead squared it to the on-rushing Hume, who tapped it past the goalkeeper to open the scoring.

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