Ian Holloway has challenged his Leicester side to copy Crystal Palace's unbeaten run after the Eagles were beaten 1-0 at the Walkers Stadium.Barry Hayles inadvertently turned in Matt Oakley's cross in the 89th minute to settle a dire game which was played on a terrible pitch and end Neil Warnock's 15-match unbeaten run.

Warnock has taken Palace from the brink of the relegation zone into the play-off picture and Holloway is hoping to repeat the trick at Leicester.

Holloway said: "I'm just happy to get one over Mrs Doubtfire [Warnock] but fair play to him - he's done wonders for Palace.

"You can throw a very small handkerchief over this division and anyone can beat anyone.

"Three wins in a row and we could be in the play-offs. Palace have proved that and that's what we have to try and do."

Leicester were marginally the better side throughout and Hayles' strike partner Steve Howard wasted two good chances while Palace's best moment saw Clinton Morrison score from an offside position.

And Holloway admitted that the goal had more than an element of fortune about it but insisted that his side deserved their fortune.

He said: "I thought we were terrific against the in-form team in the country.

"With our new additions we had some ammo which hurt them and it was nice to have the strength in depth on the bench for the first time since I've been here.

"The pitch didn't help, it was a real pudding but we withstood it really well.

"I told them at half time that the goal would come from a cross and Barry is in the dressing room telling everyone that he saw the gap over the keeper and lofted it over him.

"If you believe him you are mad because he always makes excuses but if you'd seen us play this season you would grant us that rub of the green because we've had so many thwacks in a painful area that it's nice to steal a late goal for once."

Warnock was unhappy with the performance of referee Eddie Ilderton throughout and described the treatment of forward James Scowcroft as 'manslaughter.'

The play was constantly stopped throughout as both sides battled in a congested middle third and Warnock felt hard done to by the officials.

He said: "It was a scrappy game and took a goal which Hayles didn't know anything about to win it.

"They didn't deserve to win. It was two good defences against each other and the pitch was the worst I've seen this year.

"We tried to pass it as best as we could but it got to the point where we just couldn't.

"The officials were the worst team tonight. They were indecisive throughout and there was practically manslaughter on James Scowcroft.

"Even every throw-in was given the wrong way.

"But one run has come to an end and it's important we kick on now and go again."

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