Their FA Cup third-round replay at the Walkers Stadium looked to be heading for extra-time after Les Ferdinand’s thunderous free-kick flicked off Joey Barton to level Antoine Sibierski’s early effort for the visitors.

But in the final minute Nicolas Anelka, who had just sent a simple volley sailing over the bar, chased down a Michael Tarnat throw which Frank Sinclair was hoping to let run to Ian Walker.

Instead, Anelka stuck out a leg and poked the ball into an unguarded net.

The controversial Frenchman wheeled away to celebrate his 16th goal of the season and unveiled a ‘we love you David Seaman’ vest. Of more immediate importance to his team, Anelka to set up a fourth-round repeat of the 1981 final against Tottenham.

Jon Macken, in for the injured Robbie Fowler, finished the job off with an injury-time winner to send the loyal visiting support into delirium.

Kevin Keegan has spent the last two months telling anyone who would listen that his team’s good performances are being lost in a series of pitiful results.

It is certainly true that City have not been enjoying much luck recently, although regular defensive catastrophes have hardly helped either.

The acquisition of England goalkeeper David James should begin to heal the latter affliction – and maybe there was a sign that good fortune is about to start smiling on Keegan too when Leicester’s defensive lynchpin Steve Howey was forced to pull out after straining a hamstring in the warm-up.

Howey’s absence meant Micky Adams was forced to hand untested central defender Matt Heath only his second start of the season, and the late alteration seemed to un-nerve the home side.

Frank Sinclair was especially culpable and was fortunate that a mistake-riddled first 15 minutes did not see his side fall further behind than they actually were.

It was the former Chelsea man’s mis-control which provided Anelka with the half chance to test Walker, who shortly afterwards was forced to dart quickly from his goal to snuff out the danger created by an ill-advised Sinclair back pass.

Sinclair was not completely to blame for the visitors’ opening goal. But he did miss the tackle on namesake Trevor which allowed the England international to gallop into the area and deliver the perfect far-post cross for an unmarked Sibierski to clinically convert.

City would have had another if John Curtis had not been alive to the danger when Walker parried Anelka’s fierce drive across the face of goal.

Without Muzzy Izzet, the Foxes badly lack midfield inspiration – and even with a three-man forward line they failed to test rookie goalkeeper Kevin Ellegaard.

Only once during the opening period did the young Dane find himself caught out as Ferdinand used his experience to cushion a header down on a long ball Ellegaard had expected to win.

Unfortunately for the home side, Callum Davidson could not find the half-empty net and ballooned his volley over the bar.

Ellegaard was not really tested by Heath’s header from Dickov’s cut-back just past the hour mark, but decent positioning was required to make the save.

By that stage, the visitors were showing signs of nerves. Having gone so long without a win, it was becoming increasingly difficult to close out a match.

On another night, Richard Dunne’s accidental handball might have provided the Leicester with a penalty. Tonight, though, Barton’s foul on Dickov gave Ferdinand the opportunity to level.

Apart from pointing to the bad luck, Keegan has also spent time emphasising the team spirit within the City camp.

Sides of lesser fortitude may have crumbled after Ferdinand’s leveller – but City rallied.

Anelka should have volleyed them back in front before his willingness to chase a lost cause forced Sinclair and Walker into the mistake which was to prove so fatal.

Macken’s injury-time tap-in just rounded off an excellent day for Keegan and Co.