Leicester City made it four wins on the bounce in the Premier League as they dramatically overcame fellow strugglers Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor.
The game all edged on a 60-second spell in the second half when Matty Taylor struck the post from a penalty that he had himself won, before Jamie Vardy tapped the ball home at the other end following a counter-attacking move.
Kasper Schmeichel had to pull off a number of top-class saves to keep his side ahead, while Tom Heaton was also kept busy between the sticks on a potentially decisive afternoon at the bottom of the table.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded in Lancashire.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Burnley and Leicester City at Turf Moor.
This game could go a long way to deciding which of these sides avoids the drop this season, with just two points separating the pair in the relegation zone. The Foxes have been in fine form of late, claiming three wins on the bounce, while Burnley have struggled somewhat having picked up just one win in their last 12 outings.
Kickoff in Lancashire is now less than an hour away, so let's take a look at how the teams line up for this one.
TEAM NEWS!
BURNLEY STARTING XI: Heaton; Trippier, Duff, Shackell (c), Mee; Boyd, Arfield, Jones, Taylor; Jutkiewicz, Ings
LEICESTER CITY STARTING XI: Schmeichel, Wasilewski, Huth, Morgan (c); Albrighton, King, Cambiasso, Drinkwater, Konchesky, Vardy, Ulloa
Let's start by taking a look at the visiting side, then, and there is news of two changes to bring you. Danny Drinkwater comes into the side for his first start since January following an impressive second-half display against Swansea City last time out, while Paul Koncheksy also returns.
Andrej Kramaric and Jeff Schlupp and the two players to make way, while David Nugent has not been deemed fit enough to play a part following the calf injury he picked up during the warm-up last time out. It means that the Foxes will line up in a 3-5-2 formation once again this afternoon, with Marcin Wasilewski shaking off a deal leg in time to feature.
As far as the home side are concerned, Sean Dyche has been forced into making some rare changes. Lukas Jutkiewicz is brought into the starting lineup in place of the injured Sam Vokes, while Ashley Barnes sits this one out through suspension.
Dean Marney and Kevin Long remain on the injury table, meanwhile, as Dyche attempts to juggle around his small squad. Matty Taylor will be tasked with helping out in midfield, offering support for Danny Ings and Jutkiewicz in what appears to be a straightforward 4-4-2 formation for the Clarets.
BENCH WATCH!
BURNLEY SUBS: Gilks, Keane, Ward, Kightly, Wallace, Sordell, Ulvestad
LEICESTER CITY SUBS: Schwarzer, De Laet, Upson, James, Mahrez, Wood, Kramaric
Leicester are without Jeffrey Schlupp this afternoon, but their squad has been boosted by the return of Chris Wood, who ended his loan spell at Ipswich Town earlier this week. Kramaric looked rather underwhelming last time out, so he has to make do with a place among the subs, while Riyad Mahrez can also add some attacking threat should he be called upon.
There is plenty of attacking threat for Burnley in their matchday 18, too, with Ross Wallace, Michael Kightly and Marvin Sordell all part of the squad. Dyche had named an unchanged side for five games prior to this one, but injury and suspension problems has forced him into making two alterations today.
A sold-out away end will only add to what should be a fine atmosphere inside Turf Moor this afternoon:
Well Burnley have faced the threat of relegation throughout this season, but this is the first time they have headed into a game since November propping up the table. That is not to say they are consigned to the drop, though, with an extremely tight relegation battle developing nicely as we head into the closing weeks of the season.
The Clarets have won just one of their last 12 league outings, yet if you delve a little deeper into those results there is certainly reason to be positive. A memorable 1-0 victory against an admittedly out-of-sorts Manchester City side provided a huge glimmer of hope, while there was also that draw against champions-elect Chelsea at the back end of February.
Producing "brave" performances only get you so far, however, and having played 33 games you form the conclusion that Burnley are the foot of the table for a reason. It is still very much in their hands, though, with games against West Ham United, Stoke City and Aston Villa to play after this winnable home fixture against Leicester.
Three points must be the target this afternoon if Burnley are to claw their way to safety, with an inferior goal difference compared to the sides around them in the table essentially seeing them cut three points adrift. One of their biggest problems of late has been the goalscoring form of Danny Ings, or rather the lack of it in front of goal.
Ings has now gone 13 hours since last hitting the net; a run stretching back some eight games. You would still fancy him to find a way through, though, and with Jutkiewicz alongside him this afternoon it certainly offers a different dynamic for the Englishman. Sean Dyche called for some perspective this week, rightly claiming that his side still have it all to play for, but a run of one goal in seven games simply must improve if they are to have any hope of avoiding a return back to the second tier.
The mood is rather different at the King Power Stadium, meanwhile, as Leicester head north to Lancashire on the back of three victories in succession. Written off just a month ago, the Foxes have well and truly turned things around to give themselves a real chance of finishing outside the bottom three places.
Nigel Pearson's charges had gone eight games without a win before this recent resurgence, and should they continue this hot streak at Turf Moor then what looked like being the impossible job at one stage will become a reality. The fixture list is rather king to Leicester, too, certainly in terms of things being in their own hands in the closing weeks.
Following today's game, a tough-looking home match against Chelsea awaits - a 'bonus fixture' in every sense of the word - before meetings with Newcastle, Southampton, Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers. Four of their remaining six games will be played at home, with three sides around them still to play. Like Burnley, the Foxes will very much be targeting a win from this fixture to take a huge stride to safety.
Jutkiewicz comes into the starting lineup this afternoon as one of two changes, and should he score it could have major implications for certain Burnley supporters:
This incredible turnaround in fortunes for the Foxes can be put down to many things, but a slight change in formation appears to have done the trick. The goalscoring rate has improved massively, with 10 goals scored in their last four outings. The absence of David Nugent will be felt this afternoon, however, as he had previously found the net in eight of his last 11 matches against former suitors Burnley.
DID YOU KNOW? Leicester City have not won four top-flight games in a row in a single season since 1966. I'm sure something else rather significant happened that year, but it's slipped out of my head. It should also be remembered that the Foxes were bottom for 140 days; no side has ever spent that long at the foot of the table and survived.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Leicester have won on their last three trips to Turf Moor, although they have never previously managed to go four without defeat at the Clarets' home. Burnley's last win against the Foxes came eight meetings ago, back in August 2010.
This is in fact the 100th meeting between the pair; Burnley winning 39 of those encounters while Leicester have prevailed 30 times. Some basic maths suggests that 31 of those fixtures ended as a draw (I hope...). So history suggests that things tend to be tight when the pair meet, but today's visitors have certainly had the better in recent times.
All six sides at the bottom end of the table are in action today, incidentally, so by this evening we should a better picture of how things stand. Nothing will be decided, of course, but this game in particular at Turf Moor will go a long way to deciding which side have it in them to claw clear of danger.
Hull City are out of the drop zone by virtue of a superior goal difference of +1, meaning that they are the side in immediate danger of dropping into the bottom three. They take on Crystal Palace this afternoon, while Sunderland face Stoke, Manchester City host Aston Villa - who themselves are still not completely safe - and QPR host West Ham at Loftus Road.
PREDICTION: So a potentially decisive afternoon of Premier League action at the bottom end of the table is about to get underway, and it really is a tough one to call. Form and recent history suggests that Leicester will prevail, while Burnley have proved this season on more than a few occasions that they should not be completely written off. With that in mind, I'm going to back a 1-1 draw which does not really suit either side.
Kickoff is now just a matter of moments away in Lancashire:
KICKOFF! Leicester made a frantic start against Swansea last weekend, but it is a more reserved beginning to things this time out with Burnley starting on top.
A promising start for Burnley, as Danny Ings works some space inside the box, only for his shot to be blocked away by Wasilewski. It is six hours and 33 minutes since he last found the net, but that could very well change here today.
If the pressure was not already on these two sides, Sunderland have taken an early lead at Stoke so that gap has already opened up a little more. Plenty more twists and turns to come yet, of course.
Cambiasso, a man who very much makes Leicester tick, has sweeped a fantastic ball into the box from 40 yards out which Heaton latches onto. That really was a dangerous pass right into the heart of the Burnley box, but it had just a little too much on it.
CHANCE! Some fantastic defending from Shackell denies Ulloa from nodding Leicester ahead. A Burnley free kick was cleared away, and Danny Drinkwater led a decent attack. Cambiasso and Vardy linked well down the left, with the latter's cross being headed away at the near post by Shackell.
Burnley are the worst side in the division when it comes to defending set pieces, and they did not look all that convincing when clearing away the Foxes' first corner of the afternoon. Up the other end, Schmeichel did well to handle a cross into the box to relieve some pressure on his side.
A decent enough start to this game, which has been fairly evenly matched thus far. Leicester had that one half-decent opening a few minutes ago which has proved to be the best chance, but that aside there's not been a great deal between them.
Leicester do well to win the ball in midfield with Ben Mee the man caught in possession, but a sloppy pass allows the hosts to mount another attack. We have not seen a great deal of action over the past five minutes, which we can put down to the two sides trying to weigh each other up.
Burnley have struggled to create anything in the opening quarter of this contest and, while Leicester have hardly carved their opponents open themselves, they have looked the more likely to do so. With so much riding on this game, you can hardly blame either side for being cautious.
SHOT! Still awfully quiet since that half-chance created by Vardy down the left a little earlier. The same man has just fired away the first real attempt of the game, turning inside the box and testing Heaton down low, who did well to keep hold of the ball.
So Leicester the side on top in terms of chances created, then, but not a great deal for either side to shout about in truth. That Vardy shot came about after a punt from the back, so maybe that will be the best route through to goal.
Charlie Austin has missed a penalty for QPR in their home meeting with West Ham. As things stand, a goal for either of these sides at Turf Moor will see them climb out of the drop zone, even if it is just temporarily.
Burnley win a free kick in a good decent crossing position, but Trippier completely wastes it by whipping the ball into the arms of Schmeichel. This game is struggling to settle into any sort of rhythm. Elsewhere, Stoke have levelled things up in their meeting with Sunderland.
SAVE! Schmeichel made a huge save to keep his side in front seven days ago, and he has produced another big stop here. Trippier's delivery was much better on this occasion, allowing Taylor to hook a knockdown goalwards. It was heading for the back of the net, too, if not for the Dane's save from point-blank.
So a save apiece now for either keeper, but that stop from Schmeichel was certainly far tougher than the one made by Heaton up the other end a little earlier. You get the feeling that the opening goal in this one could go a long way to deciding who prevails with the points.
Still goalless at Turf Moor, with both sides scrapping away across the field:
Referee Michael Oliver has upset the home fans by awarding a free kick Leicester's way following what appeared to be a fairly contested 50-50 challenge in midfield. It has certainly helped increase the volume levels inside this famous old ground.
Leicester are not holding back when it comes to getting crosses into the box, but Heaton is handled pretty much everything well so far. This game has become awfully stretched over the past five minutes or so, but we are still no closer to finding a breakthrough goal.
Arfield found himself in a fair bit of space 25 yards from goal, but he took the wrong option and simply passed the ball back to the visitors. Poor decision making has cost the Clarets on more than one occasion this season, and that is an area they will need to improve on come the second half.
It has been a strange half in truth; neither side really being able to get a grip on things, with just the two shots on goal from the opening 43 minutes. It has by no means been a dire affair, but both sides know they will need to step things up following the restart if they are to find a way through.
One minute of added time to be played in Lancashire, and I think both sides would happily take half time now because this one has fizzled out badly.
HALF TIME: BURNLEY 0-0 LEICESTER CITY
A goalless first half at Turf Moor, then, and not a great deal to shout about in terms of chances in the opening 45 minutes. Kasper Schmeichel's save to deny Taylor's close-range effort is the closest we have come to a breakthrough moment, with both manager having plenty to get through at the break.
Tom Heaton had to be alert to keep out Jamie Vardy's rather tame shot with 21 minutes on the clock, while a well-worked cross from the same Foxes player caused real danger in the opening stages of the game. That is pretty much it in terms of chances, though, during what has been a rather lacklustre opening 45 minutes.
It is hard to draw too many conclusions from that half of football, but it is fair to say that Leicester have looked the more positive side in possession. Burnley seem to lack the pace to get in behind, and with Ings out of form at this stage of the season they are seemingly relying on goals from elsewhere.
Here's a quick glance at all the latest scores from across the Premier League this afternoon:
So Burnley are still at the bottom of the table while Leicester are inside the bottom three by the virtue of a weaker goal difference compared to Hull. Will that change in the second half? It's almost time to find out as the teams prepare to re-emerge for the second half.
RESTART! Burnley gets proceedings back underway at Turf Moor, with neither manager opting to make any changes at the break. All to play for in this second half, then, in what could be a massive 45 minutes in deciding the fate of either side.
A cross into the Burnley box caused a little danger, but no player in a blue top could quite latch on to it. Leicester have now won a free kick in a really good position, which could provide some further threat.
Cambiasso steps up to take the free kick with a sold out away stand expecting the net to ripple, but it floats high over the bar in the end. Good start to the half for the Foxes, who remain on top.
Almost a way through for Burnley as Duff heads Trippier's delivery goalwards, but Ulloa was there to head behind. That is pretty much as good as things have got for either side since that Taylor flick on the half-hour mark.
Almost a way through for Burnley as Duff heads Trippier's delivery goalwards, but Ulloa was there to head behind. That is pretty much as good as things have got for either side since that Taylor flick on the half-hour mark.
A big moment at the bottom as Hull City take the lead against Crystal Palace. That will have a negative effect on the players out on the field, but if anything it just makes victory that extra bit more important now.
Burnley are the team on top now, with spaces starting to appear for players to pop up in. Boyd's running down the left sees him create a yard or two, but he was unable to pick out a teammate with his cross.
Without causing too many danger, Burnley are really beginning to turn the screw. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Nigel Pearson change things around shortly.
PENALTY TO BURNLEY! Referee Anthony Taylor points to the spot after Matty Taylor was brought down inside the box.
PENALTY MISSED! Incredible! Ings sends Schmeichel the wrong way but hits the post with his effort.
GOAL! BURNLEY 0-1 LEICESTER CITY (VARDY)
Absolutely incredible. Who on earth writes these scripts?! Sixty seconds after Taylor hit the post from the spot, Leicester are up the other end and edging themselves in front. Albrighton's cross from the right was deflected towards his own goal by Duff, and Vardy tapped home from a yard out. Wow!
Prior to that penalty decision, Schmeichel pulled off a fantastic stop incidentally, but so much has happened since then that it barely requires a mention! Having seen the replay of that goal, it is 100 per cent Vardy's. Heaton did fantastically to scoop Duff's deflection off the line, but the Leicester man read things well to find himself in the right place at the right time.
LEICESTER CITY SUB: Ulloa's afternoon comes to an end, with Kramaric on in his place. Twenty-four minutes left for Burnley to rescue something from this contest.
YELLOW CARD! Mee has been walking a disciplinary tightrope for a while now, and having lunged in on Vardy referee Anthony Taylor had little choice but to show him a yellow.
Burnley are continuing to probe away, but that manic 60-second spell has seemingly taken the momentum out of their sails. IT goes without saying that what we witnessed really could have a major say on who stays up and who goes down come what may.
LEICESTER SUB: Albrighton has bagged himself an assist this afternoon, but his game is over as Da Laet comes on for the final 20 minutes.
BURNLEY SUBS: Ross Wallace replaces Boyd and Jutkiewicz replaced by Marvin Sordell as Burnley makes a double change. They have less than 20 minutes left to rescue something here.
YELLOW CARD! Ings is clearly growing frustrated, and he is shown a yellow for barging into Drinkwater.
Following that manic spell a little earlier, Leicester have dragged themselves out of the drop zone. Sunderland are now the side camped inside the bottom three, alongside QPR and Burnley. The Clarets are badly running out of ideas now, as the visitors remain solid and compact at the back.
His goal has proved to be the difference so far:
Leicester will be delighted with the way things are going, as they allow Burnley to hog possession. The Clarets are not doing a great deal with the ball at this stage, so maybe a change of tactics will be needed by Dyche.
SAVE! Schmeichel has produced two top-class saved today already, but this one tops the lot. Mee's shot-cross from the left seemed to be passing right through the box, until Huth got a touch on the ball to deflect it goalwards from around six yards out. The Dane adjusted brilliantly to claw it away from goal, though, saving his side yet again.
BURNLEY SUB: Final change for the hosts, with Taylor - whose penalty miss has had a huge say in this contest - replaced by Kightly.
CHANCE! Another decent opening this for Burnley, who are finally asking questions of their opponents. Ings's cross was met by Wallace, and his connection on the ball from eight yards out wasn't the worst, but it was rather simple for Schmeichel in the end.
Well Konchesky and Wasilewski have been receiving treatment over the past two minutes following that Wallace shot. They appear to be okay to continue.
SAVE! Kramaric hasn't been on the field for long, but he picks out Vardy who in turn cuts inside and forces a decent stop out of Heaton down low.
We are into the first of five minutes added time at Turf Moor. It has been a frantic conclusion to this game, but one which Leicester are leading 1-0. Still so, so long to go if you're a Foxes supporter.
SAVE! Another top-class save, this time from Heaton. James met Kramaric's pass inside the box and rifled an effort towards the corner, but Heaton got down low to push it aside.
Burnley haven't been able to get the ball forward over the past couple of minutes, as Leicester continue to remain strong at the back.
Ings does brilliantly to win a corner. We are into the fifth minute of added time - this really is the latest chance.
Burnley players appeal for a penalty after Huth's arm appeared to catch a player in claret and blue, but Anthony Taylor was well positioned to wave play on. Just desperate please from the home players, because there was little in that.
FULL TIME: BURNLEY 0-1 LEICESTER CITY
That's it! Referee Anthony Taylor blows his whistle to bring the 90 minutes to a close. The whole game centred around an incredible 60-second spell in the second half when Matty Taylor struck the post with his penalty, before Jamie Vardy went up the other end and tapped home.
That win is enough to take the Foxes out of the drop zone, while Burnley remain rooted to the foot of the table. Well that is all from me for the time being, but be sure to stick around with player ratings and analysis still to come from Turf Moor.
