Jermaine Beckford continued his superb scoring record in the FA Cup with both goals against a plucky Swindon side.

Beckford, who bagged a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest in the third round, added to his cup tally from close-range in the fifth minute.

League Two Swindon grew into the contest and were thwarted when Sean St Ledger's block denied Matt Ritchie.

But the Championship side doubled their lead when Beckford steered in after Paul Gallagher's run and cross.

Much of the focus before kick-off had been on Swindon's eccentric Italian manager Paolo di Canio, who has guided Swindon into League Two promotion contention while attracting his share of controversy in the process.

Di Canio had said his players deserved a plaque at the County Ground to honour their victory over Wigan there in the previous round, but any hopes he harboured of seeing those heroics repeated here here struck an early blow.

The Robins were behind in the fifth minute, Beckford firing in a half-volley from 12 yards after Foxes captain Matt Mills returned the ball to the penalty when Swindon failed to properly clear a corner.

Swindon took their time to settle but, once they did, looked increasingly impressive, and Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was called upon to make a string of saves in the first half.

It took a superb save by the Dane to keep out Oliver Risser's header from Ritchie's cross.

Schmeichel was called upon again just before the half-hour mark to parry Alessandro Cibocchi's shot from the edge of the box.

And Ritchie thought he had equalised soon afterwards but a last-ditch challenge by Sean St Ledger deflected his six-yard effort over the crossbar.

But Swindon were caught out at the beginning of the second half when Beckford scored with a rising shot from close to the penalty spot after Gallagher's cross from the right.

The goal took Beckford's tally to 14 goals in as many games this season.

The League Two visitors were less of a threat in the second half and Leicester could have made it three but St Ledger and David Nugent spurned chances.

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson: "Scoring early goals in each half is really important for us. I think they played well in the first half and caused us a few problems.

"I'm pleased with how our players applied themselves. We didn't play as well as we would've liked in the first half but the second half we controlled and once we got the second goal we were very dominant.

"The FA Cup always throws up difficult fixtures and for us, it was always going to be a case of winning the game."

Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio thought Leicester defender Paul Konchesky should have been sent off for a heavy tackle which left Simon Ferry needing lengthy treatment to an injured knee.

"It was clear it was a red card. It was a bad tackle. The referee made a mistake. The foot on the leg was very high.

"We started very shy and then started to play more freely and had chances to draw level.

"The second half was more difficult after their second goal. We lost a bit of belief and energy.

"In general we have to be proud of the players and the fans who really tried to encourage the players."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Leicester City

  • 01 Schmeichel
  • 02 Peltier
  • 03 Konchesky Booked (Kennedy - 73' )
  • 05 Mills
  • 12 St. Ledger
  • 11 Dyer
  • 19 Wellens
  • 23 Danns
  • 07 Gallagher
  • 20 Beckford (Howard - 65' )
  • 35 Nugent (Hopper - 81' )

Substitutes

  • 31 Smith
  • 30 Kennedy
  • 32 Parks
  • 33 Tunchev
  • 09 Howard
  • 37 Hopper

Swindon Town

  • 35 Foderingham
  • 05 Devera
  • 07 Caddis
  • 27 Cibocchi
  • 08 Ferry (Thompson - 81' )
  • 10 Ritchie
  • 12 McCormack
  • 13 Risser
  • 09 Benson
  • 17 Connell (Murray - 60' )
  • 23 De Vita (Gabilondo - 54' )

Substitutes

  • 26 Smith
  • 06 Boateng
  • 21 Gabilondo
  • 24 Smith
  • 29 Magera
  • 34 Murray
  • 37 Thompson
Ref: Drysdale
Att: 19,942

Match Stats

Shots

8 11

On target

4 5

Corners

4 6

Fouls

10 5

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:33

The referee brings the game to a close.

84:13

Tom Hopper produces a volleyed left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

83:30

Oliver Risser challenges Richie Wellens unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sean St. Ledger takes the direct free kick.

82:33

Unfair challenge on Neil Danns by Oliver Risser results in a free kick. Kasper Schmeichel restarts play with the free kick.

80:48 Substitution

Substitution Louis Thompson joins the action as a substitute, replacing Simon Ferry.

80:17 Substitution

Substitution David Nugent goes off and Tom Hopper comes on.

75:55

Inswinging corner taken by Paul Gallagher from the right by-line, Steve Howard takes a shot. Save made by Wesley Foderingham.

75:19

The ball is sent over by Paul Gallagher, David Nugent takes a shot. Wesley Foderingham makes a brilliant save.

73:29

Paul Caddis takes a weak shot and cleared the bar.

72:09 Substitution

Substitution Tom Kennedy replaces Paul Konchesky.

72:09 Substitution

Substitution Paul Konchesky leaves the field to be replaced by Tom Kennedy.

71:48

Matt Ritchie has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.

70:31

Lee Peltier is adjudged to have handled the ball. Direct free kick taken by Alessandro Cibocchi.

68:56

Unfair challenge on Matt Ritchie by Lloyd Dyer results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Matt Ritchie from right channel.

67:13

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Oliver Risser by Steve Howard. Alan McCormack takes the direct free kick.

65:01

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Neil Danns by Oliver Risser. The ball is sent over by Paul Gallagher, Shot from outside the area by Neil Danns misses to the left of the goal.

64:12 Substitution

Substitution Steve Howard joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jermaine Beckford.

61:46

Richie Wellens challenges Ronan Murray unfairly and gives away a free kick. The ball is delivered by Alessandro Cibocchi, Effort from just outside the box by Paul Caddis goes over the bar.

60:48

Simon Ferry fouled by Neil Danns, the ref awards a free kick. Alessandro Cibocchi takes the direct free kick.

59:54 Substitution

Substitution Ronan Murray on for Alan Connell.

59:12

Inswinging corner taken by Paul Gallagher from the right by-line, Sean St. Ledger has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide of the left-hand post.

57:23

Paul Caddis takes a shot. Kasper Schmeichel makes a comfortable save.

55:23

Handball decision goes against Neil Danns. Alessandro Cibocchi restarts play with the free kick.

53:34 Substitution

Substitution Lander Gabilondo replaces Raffaele De Vita.

52:23

Paul Gallagher provided the assist for the goal.

52:23 Goal scored

Goal - Jermaine Beckford - Leicester 2 - 0 Swindon Goal scored by Jermaine Beckford from close range high into the middle of the goal. Leicester 2-0 Swindon.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:00 +3:38

The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +3:15

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Matt Ritchie.

45:00 +1:30

Alessandro Cibocchi fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, save made by Kasper Schmeichel.

45:00 +1:30 Booking

Booking Paul Konchesky goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

45:00 +0:59

Unfair challenge on Matt Ritchie by Paul Konchesky results in a free kick.

45:00 +0:05

Oliver Risser takes a shot.

42:12

Corner taken right-footed by Paul Gallagher, Sean St. Ledger produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.

42:02

Paul Konchesky crosses the ball, clearance by Joe Devera.

39:19

Raffaele De Vita takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Alan Connell takes a shot from close range clearing the crossbar.

38:51

Raffaele De Vita delivers the ball, Matt Ritchie takes a shot. Blocked by Sean St. Ledger.

38:51

The ball is crossed by Raffaele De Vita, Matt Ritchie takes a shot. Blocked by Paul Konchesky.

38:21

Alessandro Cibocchi crosses the ball, clearance by Sean St. Ledger.

32:49

Raffaele De Vita challenges Lee Peltier unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kasper Schmeichel restarts play with the free kick.

29:56

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Matt Ritchie, save by Kasper Schmeichel.

29:33

Corner taken right-footed by Raffaele De Vita from the left by-line, clearance made by David Nugent.

29:23

Alessandro Cibocchi takes a shot. Fantastic save by Kasper Schmeichel.

28:31

Raffaele De Vita produces a cross, Matt Mills makes a clearance.

27:34

The official flags David Nugent offside. Wesley Foderingham takes the free kick.

26:31

Matt Ritchie delivers a outswinging corner to short.

23:23

Lee Peltier handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Wesley Foderingham takes the indirect free kick.

21:18

Free kick awarded for a foul by Paul Konchesky on Matt Ritchie. The ball is crossed by Matt Ritchie, Oliver Risser takes a shot. Save made by Kasper Schmeichel.

20:02

The ball is swung over by Lee Peltier.

18:39

Effort on goal by Simon Ferry from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.

16:15

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Matt Ritchie by Paul Konchesky. Direct free kick taken by Paul Caddis.

15:37

The referee blows for offside against Paul Benson. Neil Danns takes the indirect free kick.

14:27

Neil Danns challenges Simon Ferry unfairly and gives away a free kick. Wesley Foderingham takes the free kick.

11:57

Free kick awarded for a foul by David Nugent on Paul Caddis. Wesley Foderingham takes the free kick.

11:34

The official flags Paul Benson offside. Kasper Schmeichel takes the free kick.

10:46

Handball decision goes against Jermaine Beckford. Wesley Foderingham takes the free kick.

9:11

Free kick awarded for a foul by Alessandro Cibocchi on Neil Danns. Neil Danns takes the direct free kick.

8:41

Alessandro Cibocchi delivers the ball, save by Kasper Schmeichel.

8:04

The ball is swung over by Lloyd Dyer, save made by Wesley Foderingham.

6:20

Neil Danns challenges Paul Caddis unfairly and gives away a free kick. Alessandro Cibocchi crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, clearance by David Nugent.

5:26

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Alessandro Cibocchi.

4:16

Assist on the goal came from Matt Mills.

4:16 Goal scored

Goal - Jermaine Beckford - Leicester 1 - 0 Swindon Jermaine Beckford finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the area low into the middle of the goal. Leicester 1-0 Swindon.

2:39

Short corner taken by Paul Gallagher.

0:00

The referee gets the match started.

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