Paul Taylor eased Peterborough's Championship relegation worries with a second-half winner against Leicester.

The striker netted his 11th goal of the campaign with a thunderous strike to open up a 10-point gap between Darren Ferguson's men and the bottom three.

It could have been worse for Leicester but goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel produced his third consecutive penalty save to deny home skipper Grant McCann.

Nigel Pearson's 12th-placed side are seven points behind the play-off zone.

Ben Marshall clipped the home crossbar with a 30-yard free-kick in the opening stages before Leicester defender Sean St Ledger, who started his career at London Road, headed a glorious chance wide of the target shortly after the restart.

George Boyd flashed a shot just wide for Peterborough shortly after before Taylor smashed a 25-yard effort past Schmeichel into the top corner.

However, much of Ferguson's post-match press conference was spent talking about the matchwinner's future.

It was revealed before the game Taylor has shunned a lucrative new deal which is likely to lead to him being sold in the summer.

Peterborough were handed a golden chance to extend their lead in the 62nd minute when Schmeichel brought down Tommy Rowe. However, the Danish keeper made amends by saving McCann's spot-kick.

Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson: "Paul has been offered a contract better than anyone else but he has decided not to sign it.

"He sees his future being in the Premier League and we have to respect that decision.

"Mathematically we are not quite safe yet and we have to ensure we retain our focus to finish the job.''

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson: "One or two key decisions went against us but we had an unbelievable amount of openings yet lacked the quality to put the ball in the back of the net.

"We paid a very heavy price for that and the disappointment is heightened by the fact that there is so much riding on matches like this after we have worked hard to get into play-off contention.

"In all truth we didn't do enough out there and seven points is an awful lot to make up at this stage of the season."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (4)

Peterborough United

  • 28 Jones
  • 02 Little
  • 18 Brisley
  • 27 Alcock Booked
  • 11 McCann
  • 14 Rowe
  • 23 Frecklington
  • 08 Tomlin
  • 10 Boyd (Kearns - 86' )
  • 20 Barnett (Sinclair - 29' )
  • 26 Taylor

Substitutes

  • 01 Lewis
  • 29 Ntlhe
  • 21 Kearns
  • 09 Ball
  • 12 Sinclair

Leicester City

  • 01 Schmeichel Booked
  • 02 Peltier
  • 03 Konchesky
  • 06 Bamba
  • 12 St Ledger (Wellens - 64' )
  • 26 Morgan
  • 11 Dyer (Schlupp - 69' )
  • 16 Drinkwater
  • 20 Beckford
  • 22 Marshall
  • 35 Nugent Booked

Substitutes

  • 30 Kennedy
  • 10 King
  • 19 Wellens
  • 27 Schlupp
  • 09 Howard
Ref: Oliver
Att: 10,714

Match Stats

Shots

14 23

On target

7 11

Corners

4 9

Fouls

12 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +2:57 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +1:59

Foul by Tommy Rowe on Richie Wellens, free kick awarded. Daniel Drinkwater fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

90:00 +1:38

Shot by Paul Taylor from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.

90:00 +1:18

The ball is sent over by Jeffery Schlupp, Grant McCann makes a clearance.

90:00 +1:02

Emile Sinclair takes a shot. Blocked by Kasper Schmeichel.

90:00 +0:11

Ben Marshall has shot on goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

88:47

Wes Morgan concedes a free kick for a foul on Paul Jones. Paul Jones restarts play with the free kick.

87:43

Paul Taylor has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.

87:07

The ball is delivered by Ben Marshall, Tommy Rowe manages to make a clearance.

86:58

The ball is crossed by Jermaine Beckford, Shaun Brisley makes a clearance.

85:05 Substitution

Substitution Daniel Kearns replaces George Boyd.

84:37

Richie Wellens sends in a cross, Lee Tomlin makes a clearance.

84:37

The ball is crossed by Richie Wellens, Shaun Brisley makes a clearance.

84:12

Richie Wellens sends in a cross, clearance made by Shaun Brisley.

83:47

Corner taken right-footed by Ben Marshall from the right by-line, George Boyd manages to make a clearance.

83:41

The ball is swung over by Ben Marshall, blocked by Tommy Rowe.

82:55

Outswinging corner taken by Daniel Drinkwater from the right by-line.

82:48

Daniel Drinkwater produces a cross, clearance made by Craig Alcock.

82:06

Jermaine Beckford delivers the ball, clearance made by Craig Alcock.

80:32

Daniel Drinkwater takes the inswinging corner, Close range effort by Souleymane Bamba goes wide of the right-hand upright.

80:16

Jeffery Schlupp takes a shot. Blocked by Tommy Rowe.

79:11

The referee gives a free kick against Lee Peltier for handball. Direct free kick taken by Paul Jones.

78:10

Direct free kick taken by Paul Jones.

78:10 Booking

Booking David Nugent shown a yellow card.

77:56 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Craig Alcock for unsporting behaviour.

77:54

David Nugent concedes a free kick for a foul on Craig Alcock.

76:51

A cross is delivered by Tommy Rowe.

75:34

Unfair challenge on Richie Wellens by Lee Frecklington results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Richie Wellens.

74:29

Daniel Drinkwater gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark Little. Grant McCann takes the free kick.

73:37

Emile Sinclair is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Kasper Schmeichel.

72:16

Foul by Lee Frecklington on Jermaine Beckford, free kick awarded. Paul Konchesky shoots direct from the free kick.

71:55

The ball is delivered by Lee Tomlin, clearance by Wes Morgan.

71:22

Grant McCann takes the outswinging corner, clearance made by David Nugent.

71:16

Emile Sinclair sends in a cross, blocked by Paul Konchesky.

70:46

Corner taken right-footed by Ben Marshall, clearance by Mark Little.

69:56

Free kick awarded for a foul by Lee Frecklington on Jeffery Schlupp. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Ben Marshall, save by Paul Jones.

69:41

Lee Peltier crosses the ball, Mark Little makes a clearance.

68:52

Shot from just outside the box by Daniel Drinkwater goes over the target.

68:02

Daniel Drinkwater takes the free kick.

68:02 Substitution

Substitution Jeffery Schlupp is brought on as a substitute for Lloyd Dyer.

68:02

Grant McCann gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Daniel Drinkwater.

67:25

Emile Sinclair takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

66:47

The referee blows for offside against Emile Sinclair. Wes Morgan takes the direct free kick.

66:14

The ball is sent over by Mark Little.

65:06

Wes Morgan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Emile Sinclair. Grant McCann takes the direct free kick.

64:45

Lloyd Dyer sends in a cross, Tommy Rowe manages to make a clearance.

63:56 Substitution

Substitution Sean St. Ledger goes off and Richie Wellens comes on.

62:33

Paul Taylor takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

62:33 Penalty

Placed penalty taken by Grant McCann saved by Kasper Schmeichel. Peterborough 1-0 Leicester.

61:47 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Kasper Schmeichel for unsporting behaviour.

61:35

Foul by Kasper Schmeichel on Tommy Rowe, Penalty awarded.

60:56

David Nugent produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.

59:16

The assist for the goal came from Grant McCann.

59:16 Goal scored

Goal - Paul Taylor - Peterboro 1 - 0 Leicester Paul Taylor finds the net with a goal from long distance to the bottom right corner of the goal. Peterborough 1-0 Leicester.

58:39

Corner taken left-footed by Grant McCann.

58:26

Emile Sinclair takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

57:55

Corner taken by Daniel Drinkwater from the right by-line, Tommy Rowe manages to make a clearance.

56:28

Inswinging corner taken by Ben Marshall.

56:21

Paul Konchesky sends in a cross, blocked by Mark Little.

55:12

Lloyd Dyer produces a right-footed shot from close range that goes over the bar.

53:10

Lloyd Dyer takes a shot. Save made by Paul Jones.

52:57

George Boyd takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

52:25

Ben Marshall gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark Little. Paul Jones takes the direct free kick.

51:52

Grant McCann challenges Ben Marshall unfairly and gives away a free kick. Daniel Drinkwater takes the free kick.

51:52

Grant McCann challenges Ben Marshall unfairly and gives away a free kick. Daniel Drinkwater takes the direct free kick.

51:26

The ball is crossed by Lee Peltier, clearance made by Craig Alcock.

50:47

Mark Little concedes a free kick for a foul on Lloyd Dyer. Daniel Drinkwater takes the direct free kick.

49:37

Effort from the edge of the area by George Boyd goes wide of the right-hand upright.

46:19

A cross is delivered by Ben Marshall, Header from close in by Sean St. Ledger misses to the left of the goal.

45:51

The referee penalises Grant McCann for handball. Direct free kick taken by Ben Marshall.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:00 +1:11 Half time

Half Time The referee blows for half time.

42:49

Effort on goal by Lloyd Dyer from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.

42:09

Shaun Brisley sends in a cross, save by Kasper Schmeichel.

40:52

The ball is delivered by Mark Little.

40:34

David Nugent sends in a cross, Shaun Brisley makes a clearance.

39:50

The ball is swung over by Ben Marshall, Souleymane Bamba takes a shot. Save by Paul Jones.

39:16

Jermaine Beckford fouled by Lee Frecklington, the ref awards a free kick. Ben Marshall restarts play with the free kick.

37:08

Mark Little sends in a cross, clearance made by Wes Morgan.

36:53

Paul Taylor takes a shot. Save made by Kasper Schmeichel.

35:25

Outswinging corner taken by Daniel Drinkwater, clearance made by Tommy Rowe.

34:58

Souleymane Bamba takes a shot. Save by Paul Jones.

34:33

Grant McCann concedes a free kick for a foul on Ben Marshall. Ben Marshall takes the free kick.

34:03

Unfair challenge on Jermaine Beckford by Shaun Brisley results in a free kick. Daniel Drinkwater restarts play with the free kick.

33:02

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Tommy Rowe by Souleymane Bamba. Paul Jones takes the free kick.

32:40

Paul Konchesky produces a cross, Tommy Rowe manages to make a clearance.

31:38

Jermaine Beckford sends in a cross, save by Paul Jones.

29:57

A cross is delivered by Lee Peltier, clearance by George Boyd.

28:01 Substitution

Substitution Emile Sinclair is brought on as a substitute for Tyrone Barnett.

26:50

Wes Morgan takes a shot. Paul Jones makes a save.

24:52

The ball is sent over by Ben Marshall, save made by Paul Jones.

24:12

Souleymane Bamba takes a shot. Save by Paul Jones.

23:50

Shot from just outside the box by Lee Tomlin misses to the left of the goal.

22:20

Souleymane Bamba challenges Tyrone Barnett unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Tommy Rowe.

21:31

Grant McCann challenges David Nugent unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by David Nugent.

17:58

Ben Marshall takes a shot. Paul Jones makes a save.

17:38

Lloyd Dyer crosses the ball, David Nugent takes a shot. Craig Alcock gets a block in.

16:52

Jermaine Beckford challenges Shaun Brisley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Shaun Brisley takes the free kick.

16:15

Ben Marshall sends in a cross.

15:22

Ben Marshall takes a shot. Save by Paul Jones.

13:51

Effort from the edge of the box by Mark Little goes wide of the right-hand upright.

12:45

Souleymane Bamba concedes a free kick for a foul on Lee Tomlin. Lee Tomlin restarts play with the free kick.

12:29

David Nugent takes a shot. Craig Alcock gets a block in.

9:51

Effort from outside the box by David Nugent goes wide right of the target.

9:30

Tyrone Barnett takes a shot. Wes Morgan gets a block in.

8:47

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Grant McCann, Lee Peltier makes a clearance.

6:16

Souleymane Bamba challenges Lee Frecklington unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Grant McCann, Kasper Schmeichel makes a save. Corner taken left-footed by Grant McCann to the near post.

5:27

Ben Marshall sends in a cross, Close range shot by Jermaine Beckford goes wide of the left-hand upright.

4:48

Corner taken by Ben Marshall, Paul Jones makes a save.

3:31

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Paul Konchesky by Paul Taylor. Ben Marshall fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

0:00

The game kicks-off.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association