A Lloyd Dyer goal eight minutes from time gave Leicester City all three points, and a first away win of the season, against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium tonight.

And in the closing stages, a brilliant save from Chris Weale also helped secure the clean sheet from a new-look defence and send the Blue Army back down south in great heart having seen their side bounce back in style.

City boss Nigel Pearson rang the changes, making five in all. Michael Morrison replaced Robbie Neilson at right-back, Jack Hobbs returned for Aleksandar Tunchev, Andy King started for Richie Wellens, Lloyd Dyer came in for Dany N'Guessan and Yann Kermorgant made his first league start up front in place of Steve Howard.

Right away the Foxes showed their intentions when Matt Oakley won the ball in midfield and surged forward towards the area only for his fierce shot to be blocked.

The home side then hit back with a move down the right ending with Aliadiere firing in a shot brilliantly blocked by Wayne Brown. Next Aliadiere showed up again, getting through on the left for a cut-back cleared by Andy King for a corner which was well gathered under pressure by Chris Weale.

The City keeper then sent a long clearance which went all the way through to Lloyd Dyer who had to settle for a corner when his cross was blocked, the flag-kick being cleared for a Boro breakaway which ended with an Aliadiere shot saved.

New City man Kermorgant then battled is way through a couple of challenges into the area but, off balance, fired his parting shot well over. Moments later a break by Bruno Berner ended with a good cross only just cleared.

City were then in danger when Boro had a free-kick right on the edge of the area and were relieved to see Julio Arca's shot sail safely over before City broke to the other end and keeper Brad Jones only just managed to clear a very strong pass-back hit to him from very close range to ensure a goalless first half.

City restarted well and Dyer soon earned a corner on the left, a foul being given on the keeper when the ball came in while at the other end Marvin Emnes did the hard part by working a clear opening but then sent his shot well over the bar.

On the hour, both sides changed their attack, Steve Howard and Martyn Waghorn replacing Fryatt and Kermorgant for City and play was very even going into the crucial stages of the game, a long throw by King almost falling to Howard for a shot in the area.

Weale then made a fine instinctive save to gather a cut-back with the Boro attack closing in.and Leroy Lita then turned a simple looking chance wide of the mark from close in then came the drama at the other end.

First, a foul on Howard led to an Oakley shot parried by the keeper, Hobbs's follow-up hitting the post but the heat stayed on and when Nicky Adams found Oakley, he passed to Dyer who gleefully blasted home in the 82nd minute.

It was far from over, though, and near the end of five added minutes, David Wheater, thrown up in attack, blasted wide from 12 yards when he could have scored but City definitely deserved this one.  

City: Weale; Morrison, Hobbs, Brown, Berner, Gallagher, Oakley, A King, Dyer, Fryatt, Kermorgant. Subs: Neilson, McGivern, Howard, Logan, Adams, N'Guessan, Waghorn.

Booked: Oakley.

Boro: Jones; McMahon, St Ledger, Wheater, Bennett, O'Neil, Williams, Arca, Johnson, Aliadiere, Emnes. Subs: Coyne, Yeates, Digard, Lita, Grounds, Hines, Franks.

Referee: M Haywood.

Attendance: 18, 577