Leicester City grabbed a precious win in their quest for Premier League survival as Andy King's late goal earned the Foxes a 2-1 victory against West Ham United.

The home side took the lead thanks to Esteban Cambiasso's ferocious 25-yard half-volley after just 12 minutes, but showed their frailty as they were nearly pegged back immediately.

Cheikhou Kouyate should have levelled the game, but could only direct his effort at Kasper Schmeichel, who wasted no time in teeing up a swift counter-attack that culminated with Carl Jenkinson felling Leonardo Ulloa in the box.

David Nugent stepped up to take the penalty, but saw his spot kick beaten away by West Ham goalkeeper Adrian.

That miss came back to haunt Leicester when the visitors levelled the game just after the half-hour mark through Kouyate, who applied the finish to Alex Song's sublime back-post cross.

Nugent was inches away from meeting Ritchie de Laet's cross just after the restart, then Cambiasso elected to cross when well placed to shoot as the home side threatened to retake the lead.

Jeffrey Schlupp was next to go close as he drilled an effort narrowly wide after a mazy run by Jamie Vardy.

Vardy then met Ulloa's flick on from De Laet's long throw-in, but could only direct his header wide of the upright before the winger was sent through by Nugent, only to drag a left-foot effort wide of the post with the goal at this mercy.

For all of their pressure, Leicester had Schmeichel to thank for keeping them in it as he flew across his goal to claw Kouyate's 30-yard strike away from danger in the final stages.

Still the home side refused to settle for a draw, and their determination paid off when substitute King controlled Vardy's mishit strike and fired home from close range just four minutes from time.