Sheffield United kept a firm grip on a play-off spot, scoring twice after Leicester had been reduced to 10 men.
Once Keith Gillespie had been red-carded in the 30th minute, United took a stranglehold as goals from Andy Gray and Alan Quinn gave them maximum points over the Christmas period.
United, with just one defeat in 16 league games, almost snatched the lead in the third minute as the Leicester defence dithered .
Leading scorer Gray's fierce strike was pushed away by Stuart Taylor, Danny Cadamarteri reacted quickly heading the ball back into the goalmouth only for Gray to slice wide from close range.
Keeper Ian Bennett, on loan from Birmingham, foiled Leicester after 17 minutes charging off his line to block striker David Connolly as he was about to shoot. United's reply was swift, Andy Liddell's cross was cleared straight to Michael Tonge whose crisp strike from 20 yards went wide of the far post.
The Midlands side were reduced to 10 men in the 30th minute after Gillespie brought down Jon Harley. The former Newcastle winger pushed Harley as the little full-back got to his feet and was immediately red-carded by referee Mike Pike.
Tonge almost broke the deadlock three minutes before half-time, shooting from 18 yards as Taylor produced a spectacular save to palm the ball away, before setting up the opener after 52 minutes.
The United midfielder burst through the middle evading two tackles before unselfishly picking out Gray, who swept past Dion Dublin before lashing the ball into the far corner for his tenth of the season.
Quinn finished off Leicester 13 minutes later with a shot from 10 yards after being set up by Cadamarteri.