A tremendous goal from Martyn Waghorn earned Leicester City a 1-1 draw against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena this afternoon.

The home side had taken a first-half lead but on the hour, City changed their whole attack, bringing on Steve Howard, Waghorn and DJ Campbell and the move worked as, in the 69th minute, Howard touched on a clearance for Waghorn to slam home the equaliser.

City boss Nigel Pearson named an unchanged side from the one that triumphed against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in midweek for the shorter journey along the M69 this afternoon. Richie Wellens returned to the bench where there was a first appearance of the season for striker DJ Campbell.

City carved out the first opening when a forward pass from Michael Morrison found Matty Fryatt but the striker was crowded out. Next, Yann Kermorgant had a useful looking shot blocked before the Frenchman combined with Paul Gallagher in a good move which found Fryatt just off-side.

At the other end, though, the Sky Blues made some openings, good work by Leon Best setting up a shot from Aron Gunnarson for a 25 yarder just over. Moments later, Freddy Eastwood crossed from the left, the ball being turned back by Best for a Gunnarson 20-yarder brilliantly saved by Chris Weale.

The Foxes then took the initiative, Kermorgant testing Keiran Westwood after a Fryatt set-up before Lloyd Dyer cut in from the left for a shot just over. Then City came so close when a Gallagher free-kick earned a corner, cleared out to him and he cut in from the left for a dipping shot that came back off the bar. Seconds later, Gallagher was in again but once more was unlucky as Westwood made the save.

Just when City looked in command, they were hit against the run of play in the 37th minute when a Sammy Clingan free-kick from 25 yards, out on the left, flew into Weale's top right-hand corner, the keeper having no chance.

The visitors kept fighting to the break and a left-wing cross was almost turned home by Kermorgant but the keeper deflected his effort. 

At the restart, a good cross from Gallagher was held by the keeper as City went forward before, at the other end, Weale made a fantastic save from Gunarson for a corner which saw Elliott Ward blast over.

Then City made their changes and two out of the three new men had a hand in the equaliser, Weale sending forward a huge clearance, headed on by Howard and there was Waghorn to turn home a great finish in the 69th minute.

This set up the closing stages for great excitement and both sides had chances, tenacious work by Dyer leading to an opening in the area but the ball would not just break for Campbell. At the other end, Clinton Morrison tried a shot on the turn which went just over and then spoiled a good chance by handling when he should have scored.

But in stoppage time, City went forward, Campbell was fouled, Oakley's free-kick gained a corner but it was cleared and that was the last meaningful action in what had been a rousing derby.

City: Weale; Morrison, Hobbs, Brown, Berner, Gallagher, Oakley, A King, Dyer, Fryatt, Kermorgant. Subs:Logan; McGivern, Adams, Wellens, Waghorn (60 for Fryatt), Howard (60 for Kermorgant), Campbell (60 for Gallagher).

Booked: Gallagher, Brown.

Coventry City: Westwood; Wright, Clingan, Ward, Best, Eastwood, Morrison, van Aanholt, Cranie, Gunnarsson, Cork. Subs: Konstantopoulos, Osbourne (71 for Clingan), Walker, Cain, Grandison, Clarke, Jeffers.

Referee M Oliver.

Attendance: 22,209.