An early strike by Martyn Waghorn gave Leicester City a hard-fought win against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium tonight.
Swirling snow made conditions difficult but City ensured no slip-ups as they stoutly defended their lead for this deserved victory.
Rovers kicked off but it was City who really came fast out the blocks and in less than thirty seconds Lloyd Dyer was fouled 20 yards out after a Solano pass. Solano took the kick which was deflected behind for the first of three corners in a row, the pressure easing when Michael Morrison headed the final one over.
The home side replied briefly with Billy Sharp being caught off-side before City swept forward again, a neat one-two between Dyer and Solano ending with the former seeing a good shot well saved. Next, a Solano pass sent N'Guessan in on the right but he was turned back.
The pressure had to tell and in the 11th minute it did. City defended a corner and from the clearance they broke through, Martyn Waghorn getting the better of the home defence and slotting a great finish past the keeper.
The home side tried for a quick reply, a Jordan Mutch run ending with a fine shot just wide of the right-hand post. Bruno Berner was then booked for tripping Sharp who looked like going clear and the City man got a yellow card for his troubles, the free-kick coming to nothing.
City came close again when Dyer, Solano and Waghorn combined to set up a shooting chance for Andy King but his strike was over the target then, after a Mark Wilson header had been saved, at the other end a Richie Wellens shot needed a good save from Neil Sullivan
As the break approached, King shot wide while at the other end a James Coppinger shot after a good run was safely held by Weale to reserve City's lead at the interval.
Rovers hit right from the restart, a John Oster shot being beaten away by Weale with Brown completing the clearance. Sharp then sent a shot wide and moments later a great run by Chambers was halted with superb chasing back by Dyer.
Weale then saved well from half-time sub James Hayter while, at the other end, King sent Nicky Adams, on for Solano, through on the right but his cross was gathered by Sullivan as the attack closed in.
At the other end, Weale again saved well from Coppinger but City broke out and Paul Gallagher, on for N'Guessan, sent Adams through for a shot brilliantly turned away at full stretch by Sullivan before play switched back towards the City goal.
The closing stages were tough for City with substitute Lewis Guy seeing his shot brilliantly blocked by Weale, Hayter failing to send the rebound towards an empty net and while the visitors were pushed back, they rarely looked like slipping up and the win was secure.
City: Weale; Morrison, Hobbs, Brown, Berner, Solano, A King, Wellens, Dyer, Waghorn, N'Guessan. Subs: Logan, McGivern, Howard, Adams (60 for Solano), Kermorgant, Gallagher (60 for N'Guessan), Bruce.
Booked: Berner.
Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan; O'Connor, Chambers, Ward, Roberts, Oster, Wilson, Mutch, Coppinger, Shiels, Sharp. Subs: Spicer (81 for Mutch), Hird, Guy (81 for Wilson), Hayter (46 for Shiels), Smith, Dumbuya.
Referee: K Woolmer.
Attendance: 11,027
