Two first-half goals in three minutes handed Leicester City this narrow defeat to promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion at the Walkers Stadium this afternoon.

Against the run of play, a Graham Dorrans free-kick sneaked through a packed goalmouth for the first in the 36th minute and three minutes later a long-range effort from Gonzalo Jara flew into the net for their second. Bruno Berner pulled one back for City in stoppage time but the visitors held out for the win.

City fielded an unchanged team from the side that won at QPR so impressively last time out although there was one switch on the bench where DJ Campbell replaced Lloyd Dyer.

The home side were soon on the attack, a fine run down the right by Dany N'Guessan looking promising but the danger was cleared before play switched to the other end for a West Brom corner leading to a shot from Jerome Thomas being well blocked by Robbie Neilson, the ball being cleared eventually.

Next, Luke Moore got in on the left for a cross-shot that flew wide before City threatened at the other end, Richie Wellens crossing for Matty Fryatt for a touch back to Matt Oakley for a 25 yarder sent just wide. Moments later, Fryatt worked his way in from the left to earn a corner which was initially cleared, the heat staying on until a foul by Fryatt eased the danger for the visitors.

The Baggies then cut through City but Chris Weale made a great save from Moore's shot from ten yards before City were soon attacking again, good work by Fryatt sending Martyn Waghorn through but the Baggies keeper raced out to save then the keeper was again in action, saving a Waghorn shot on the turn after a Wellens pass.

This was a good spell by City and from a cross from the left, Fryatt glanced a header just wide before the visitors took the lead against the run of play, Oakley tripping Moore 30 yards out and somehow Graham Dorrans's low shot eluded everyone in the area to sneak in at the right-hand post in the 36th minute.

This was a stunner for City and they fell further behind in the 39th minute when Gonzalo Jara came forward from midfield  and smashed a long-range effort home, again on the right of the goal.

City kept going to the break, Ryan McGivern on for Andy King, Oakley already having been replaced by Paul Gallagher and a cross from Bruno Berner from the left came to nothing as N'Guessan was penalised in the middle.

The Foxes started the sceond half very brightly and inside the first minute came so close to a reply, Fryatt getting in on the right for a low cross turned just wide by Gallagher from close range. Next,  N'Guessan won a corner on the right which was only just cleared.

Back came the Baggies and a cross from Joe Mattock brought out a brilliant clearance from Wayne Brown then moments later Moore had a good shot well saved by Weale before City carved out another good chance when Waghorn turned the ball on for Berner who mis-cued his effort.

At the other end, two great saves from Weale from a Brunt header and a Thomas shot kept City going, as did a brilliant Hobbs clearance of a through ball meant for Simon Cox.

City brought on Steve Howard around the hour mark as City kept up the fight, a corner won by Wellens being turned out then sent back in by Neilson for a Fryatt chance deflected  to safety. The City striker had another shot blocked as the fight went on.

As can happen to a team driving forward, City were almost caught on the break when a Moore chip over Weale hit the bar, Brown completing the clearance and with five minutes stoppage time announced, City kept battling, getting their reward when na Paul Gallagher frree kick was parried by the keeper and Berner was there to notch the late consolation. 

City: Weale; Neilson, Hobbs, Brown, Berner, Oakley, A King, Wellens, N'Guessan, Waghorn, Fryatt. Subs: Logan, McGivern (43 for King), Morrison, Howard (60 for N'Guessan), Kermorgant, Campbell, Gallagher (39 for Oakley).

Booked: Oakley, McGivern.

West Brom: Carson; Zuiverloon, Mattock, Olsoon, Meite, Brunt, Thomas, Dorrans, Jara, Moore, Cox Subs: Kiely, Martis, Cech (74 for Thomas), Koren, Texeira, Bednar (86 for Moore), Mulumbu (66 for Cox).

Referee: N Swarbrick.

Attendance: 28,748.