Substitute David Nugent scored a late double as Leicester City withheld a Derby County fightback to win a captivating East Midlands derby and move up to third in the Championship.

The Foxes stormed into a two-goal lead thanks to Zak Whitbread's header and a lovely finish by Martyn Waghorn and they had more chances to seal victory.

But Theo Robinson's powerful strike before the break gave the Rams hope.

And it was only two superb Nugent finishes that made the points safe.

Nugent's first goal came with 16 minutes left, a delightful downward header from Ben Marshall's superb left-wing cross. And his clever sliced 89th-minute strike wrapped up a fifth consecutive win against Derby.

But the emphatic 4-1 scoreline did not reflect a keenly fought match in which the visitors played a full part, despite looking like they would be blown away in the early stages.

Leicester dominated from the outset and led through Whitbread's header from Waghorn's corner.

The impressive Waghorn then hit the bar with an attempted cross from a wide free-kick before City grabbed a deserved second.

Anthony Knockaert won possession on the left and found Jamie Vardy, whose exquisite first-time pass was passed into the corner of the net by Waghorn.

However with the hosts threatening to run riot, an equally impressive move involving Will Hughes and Michael Jacobs saw the ball worked to Robinson, who took a quality first touch and smashed the ball past keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Both sides had chances, with Rams keeper Adam Legzdins making several fine saves - including pushing a Waghorn effort onto the bar.

But Derby were unable to draw level and Nugent's late introduction was the deciding factor as the hosts eased to a victory which takes them to within two points of second-placed Cardiff City.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson:

"It was an outstanding start to the game for us. I think that's the best we've played.

"We totally dominated and to get two goals in that period was fully deserved.

"I was a bit disappointed that we were only one goal ahead at half-time, but I think we kept our composure well in the second half."

Derby manager Nigel Clough:

"The first time Cardiff went in our box the other night they scored and it was the same with Leicester. It's another goal conceded from a set-play," said the boss.

"That's the only thing that's holding us back. The general performance was not too bad for long periods of the game, but all that goes out the window if you don't defend properly and we certainly didn't in the first half hour.

"If you give someone like Leicester the first goal after five minutes they're going to be all over you. They're extremely strong at home."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Leicester City

  • 01 Schmeichel
  • 02 De Laet
  • 03 Konchesky
  • 05 Morgan
  • 06 Whitbread
  • 04 Drinkwater
  • 10 King
  • 11 Dyer (Marshall - 66' )
  • 24 Knockaert (James - 80' )
  • 09 Vardy (Nugent - 66' )
  • 14 Waghorn

Substitutes

  • 13 Logan
  • 22 Moore
  • 07 Marshall
  • 16 James
  • 18 Schlupp
  • 29 Futacs
  • 35 Nugent

Derby County

  • 13 Legzdins
  • 02 Brayford
  • 05 Buxton
  • 06 Keogh
  • 16 O'Connor (Freeman - 77' )
  • 07 Coutts Booked
  • 08 Hendrick
  • 12 Jacobs (Bennett - 85' )
  • 19 Hughes
  • 11 Robinson (Tyson - 81' )
  • 32 Sammon

Substitutes

  • 01 Fielding
  • 15 O'Brien
  • 22 Hoganson
  • 23 Freeman
  • 18 Davies
  • 09 Tyson
  • 20 Bennett
Ref: Geoff Eltrigham
Att: 20,680

Match Stats

Shots

16 9

On target

11 9

Corners

8 5

Fouls

13 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:00 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +3:13

Ben Marshall produces a cross, save made by Adam Legzdins.

90:00 +2:32

Foul by Ritchie De Laet on Paul Coutts, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Paul Coutts.

90:00 +1:43

Corner taken by Paul Coutts from the left by-line, save by Kasper Schmeichel.

90:00 +0:10

Corner taken right-footed by Paul Coutts, save made by Kasper Schmeichel.

88:06

Assist on the goal came from Danny Drinkwater.

88:06 Goal scored

Goal - David Nugent - Leicester 4 - 1 Derby David Nugent gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Leicester 4-1 Derby.

87:13

Martyn Waghorn has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the goal.

86:18

Corner taken by Ben Marshall from the left by-line, Paul Coutts manages to make a clearance.

85:51

Danny Drinkwater takes a shot. Jake Buxton gets a block in.

85:40

The ball is sent over by Ben Marshall, clearance made by Will Hughes.

84:55 Substitution

Substitution Mason Bennett on for Michael Jacobs.

83:34

The ball is sent over by Michael Jacobs, clearance by Matty James.

83:21

The ball is sent over by Michael Jacobs, Zak Whitbread manages to make a clearance.

83:03

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jake Buxton by Wes Morgan. Direct free kick taken by Will Hughes.

82:00

Inswinging corner taken by Martyn Waghorn.

81:44

Ritchie De Laet takes a shot. Blocked by Kieron Freeman.

80:54 Substitution

Substitution Nathan Tyson replaces Theo Robinson.

80:40

Matty James has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

80:13

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kieron Freeman on Matty James. Free kick taken by Wes Morgan.

79:31 Substitution

Substitution Matty James is brought on as a substitute for Anthony Knockaert.

76:01 Substitution

Substitution James O'Connor goes off and Kieron Freeman comes on.

74:51

David Nugent is caught offside. Adam Legzdins takes the indirect free kick.

73:44

Ben Marshall provided the assist for the goal.

73:44 Goal scored

Goal - David Nugent - Leicester 3 - 1 Derby David Nugent scores a headed goal from close in. Leicester 3-1 Derby.

73:14

Martyn Waghorn takes a shot.

72:30

The ball is sent over by John Brayford, clearance by Wes Morgan.

71:48

Danny Drinkwater gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Will Hughes. Jake Buxton restarts play with the free kick.

70:46

Martyn Waghorn challenges Jeff Hendrick unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by James O'Connor.

70:07

The ball is crossed by Michael Jacobs, Jeff Hendrick takes a shot. Wes Morgan gets a block in.

69:36

Danny Drinkwater gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Will Hughes. Free kick taken by Richard Keogh.

65:40

Direct free kick taken by Ritchie De Laet.

65:40 Substitution

Substitution (Leicester) makes a substitution, with Ben Marshall coming on for Lloyd Dyer.

65:40 Substitution

Substitution (Leicester) makes a substitution, with David Nugent coming on for Jamie Vardy.

65:40

John Brayford gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Wes Morgan.

64:32

The ball is swung over by James O'Connor, Paul Konchesky manages to make a clearance.

64:12

Unfair challenge on Will Hughes by Danny Drinkwater results in a free kick. Will Hughes takes the direct free kick.

61:36

Theo Robinson takes a shot. Blocked by Ritchie De Laet.

60:52

Outswinging corner taken by Michael Jacobs from the right by-line, clearance by Wes Morgan.

59:40

Michael Jacobs fouled by Wes Morgan, the ref awards a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Michael Jacobs.

57:46

Outswinging corner taken by Michael Jacobs from the right by-line played to the near post, Danny Drinkwater manages to make a clearance.

56:20

Handball by Anthony Knockaert. Adam Legzdins takes the free kick.

52:54

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Danny Drinkwater by Theo Robinson. Direct free kick taken by Danny Drinkwater.

50:49

Lloyd Dyer concedes a free kick for a foul on Will Hughes. Richard Keogh takes the free kick.

49:59

John Brayford crosses the ball.

48:47

Corner taken by Martyn Waghorn, Theo Robinson manages to make a clearance.

48:33

Centre by Lloyd Dyer, blocked by John Brayford.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +1:57 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

45:00 +1:29

Theo Robinson takes a shot. Save made by Kasper Schmeichel.

44:32

Wes Morgan fouled by Conor Sammon, the ref awards a free kick. Kasper Schmeichel takes the free kick.

42:12

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Michael Jacobs by Ritchie De Laet. Will Hughes takes the direct free kick.

40:34

Conor Sammon takes a shot. Kasper Schmeichel makes a save.

38:19

Wes Morgan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michael Jacobs. Paul Coutts crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel, clearance made by Danny Drinkwater.

37:18

The assist for the goal came from Michael Jacobs.

37:18 Goal scored

Goal - Theo Robinson - Leicester 2 - 1 Derby Goal scored by Theo Robinson from deep inside the penalty area high into the middle of the goal. Leicester 2-1 Derby.

33:39

Michael Jacobs takes a shot. Kasper Schmeichel makes a save.

32:03

Paul Coutts takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

28:44

Theo Robinson takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

26:59

Outswinging corner taken by Martyn Waghorn.

26:13

Corner taken by Martyn Waghorn, Anthony Knockaert takes a shot. Adam Legzdins makes a save.

26:00

Andy King takes a shot. Blocked by Jeff Hendrick.

25:44

Jamie Vardy takes a shot. Save by Adam Legzdins.

24:53

Corner taken by Paul Coutts played to the near post, clearance made by Jamie Vardy.

24:40

The ball is delivered by Theo Robinson, clearance by Zak Whitbread.

24:14

Free kick awarded for a foul by Martyn Waghorn on Jake Buxton. Free kick taken by Richard Keogh.

23:11

The offside flag is raised against Jamie Vardy. Adam Legzdins takes the free kick.

22:06

Jamie Vardy provided the assist for the goal.

22:06 Goal scored

Goal - Martyn Waghorn - Leicester 2 - 0 Derby Martyn Waghorn finds the net with a goal from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Leicester 2-0 Derby.

20:51

The ball is delivered by Ritchie De Laet, Jake Buxton makes a clearance.

19:49

Unfair challenge on Lloyd Dyer by Paul Coutts results in a free kick. Lloyd Dyer takes the direct free kick.

18:26

Paul Konchesky crosses the ball, save by Adam Legzdins.

17:25

Corner taken left-footed by Martyn Waghorn from the right by-line, clearance made by Theo Robinson.

16:57

Centre by Lloyd Dyer, Martyn Waghorn takes a shot. Save by Adam Legzdins.

16:13

Martyn Waghorn challenges Richard Keogh unfairly and gives away a free kick. Adam Legzdins takes the free kick.

15:12

Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Jamie Vardy goes wide of the right-hand upright.

14:14

Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Jacobs on Ritchie De Laet. Danny Drinkwater restarts play with the free kick.

13:44

Martyn Waghorn fouled by Will Hughes, the ref awards a free kick. Zak Whitbread takes the free kick.

12:23

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Martyn Waghorn by James O'Connor. Wes Morgan restarts play with the free kick.

10:46

Strike comes in from Martyn Waghorn from the free kick,

10:46 Booking

Booking Paul Coutts is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

10:38

Paul Coutts is adjudged to have handled the ball.

10:07

Corner taken left-footed by Martyn Waghorn, clearance by Jeff Hendrick.

9:12

Unfair challenge on Martyn Waghorn by Jake Buxton results in a free kick. Martyn Waghorn shoots direct from the free kick, save by Adam Legzdins.

7:35

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Martyn Waghorn by Jake Buxton. Danny Drinkwater takes the free kick.

6:00

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie Vardy on Jake Buxton. Adam Legzdins takes the free kick.

5:01

Assist on the goal came from Martyn Waghorn.

5:01 Goal scored

Goal - Zak Whitbread - Leicester 1 - 0 Derby Zak Whitbread finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the area. Leicester 1-0 Derby.

4:33

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Martyn Waghorn from the left by-line,

4:25

Lloyd Dyer sends in a cross, John Brayford makes a clearance.

0:31

Centre by John Brayford, clearance made by Wes Morgan.

0:00

The match gets underway.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association