Leicester City clinched the League One championship following their 2-0 victory over Southend United at Roots Hall on Saturday.

Matty Fryatt grabbed the all important goals on the day - making it 31 for the season with five of those coming against the Shrimpers.

The win means that the Foxes cannot be caught by any of their rivals - despite the fact that there are still two games of the season to play.

Boss Nigel Pearson made one enforced change to his starting line up - Paul Dickov replacing the Steve Howard, who missed the game through illness.

City had the first real chance of the game with seven minutes on the clock. Lloyd Dyer danced down the left at pace and fired off a shot, but Shrimpers defender Peter Clarke was on hand to make the block.

There was a break in play midway through the first half when Joe Mattock went down injured, but thankfully the defender was able to continue.

Jack Hobbs' flick fell into the path of Fryatt in the 28th minute, but the striker lost his footing and the home defence were able to clear.

Max Gradel tried his luck from a free kick from distance moments later, but his effort fell over the bar.

Jean-Francois Christophe hit a shot on the run from fully 35 yards with 32 minutes on the clock, but it fell well wide of the target.

Fryatt skipped his way through into the opposition penalty area two minutes later before he was closed down by the Southend defence.

Theo Robinson hit a rasping drive from 30 yards on 41 minutes and Dave Stockdale had to be on guard in the City goal to palm the ball out for a corner.

Southend should have taken the lead on the brink of half time, but Clark was unable to guide home Barnard's free-kick.

Ross McCormack stretched the City defence at the start of the second half but his shot drifted across the front of goal and fell to safety.

The home side came close again moments later but Robinson's half volley thundered against the bar before it was cleared.

Fryatt tiptoed through the Shrimpers defence on the 50 minute mark but his dink shot rebounded off Steve Mildenhall's upright before falling to safety.

The Foxes were awarded a penalty in the 59th minute when Simon Francis was adjudged to have handled in his own area and Fryatt was on hand to place the ball past the helpless Mildenhall.

And Fryatt doubled City's advantage 10 minutes later - the striker heading home from close range after Dyer's free-kick had rattled the bar.

Pearson made his first change of the game on the 76th minute - Barry Hayles replacing Dickov. And Bruno Berner also got a piece of the action when he came on for Joe Mattock seven minutes later.

Clarke smashed a shot goalwards from 30 yards in the last minute of normal time, but Stockdale made the block before Hobbs cleared.

Dyer came mighty close to sealing the victory in the dying moments - but his rasping left foot drive fell just wide of the target.

City will now be awarded with the League One trophy following their contest against Scunthorpe United at the Walkers Stadium on Friday, April 24 (7:45pm). CLICK HERE to secure your tickets online now!

City: Stockdale, Mattock (Berner 84), Hobbs, Brown, Morrison, Dyer, Oakley (c), A King, Gradel (Ajdarevic 90), Fryatt, Dickov (Hayles 76)
Subs not used: Kisnorbo, Warner.
Yellow: Fryatt, Oakley

Southend United: Mildenhall, Francis, Dervite, Clarke, Barrett (c),McCormack, Barnard, Moussa, Robinson, Christophe (Grant 52 (Freedman  56)), Betsy (Laurent 78)
Subs not used: Sankofa, Joyce.

Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex)

Attendance: 10,089 (away 2,141)