Martin O'Neill's Leicester earned a quarter-final home tie against Fulham after overcoming the league leaders in a penalty shootout following a grim goalless 120 minutes.

Muzzy Izzet put away the decisive penalty after Gary Kelly and Lee Bowyer had missed with successive spot-kicks for Leeds.

Leicester had largely dominated the second half of normal time without looking likely to breach a Leeds defence typically well marshalled by their captain Lucas Radebe. And when, in the 88th minute, Matthew Elliott headed a Stefan Oakes free-kick goalward, Matthew Jones cleared off the line. There was further late drama, with Radebe being sent off in the 90th minute after his second bookable offence.

Leeds can hardly have expected an easy night. Leicester have built up a formidable reputation in this cup, reaching two of the past three finals, and undeservedly defeated David O'Leary's team 2-1 en route to Wembley last season with two goals in the last two minutes.

O'Neill's nerves can hardly have been helped by the injuries which robbed him of Frank Sinclair and Steve Guppy.

But there was plenty to give Leicester hope. This was Leeds's sixth game in 18 days and their third successive cup-tie. O'Leary admitted this was one of the last venues he would have chosen to visit after a gruelling run of fixtures at home and abroad.

There was, though, little sign of fatigue in Leeds's early play. Although the number of chances sadly failed to match the number of empty seats, the pace of Michael Bridges and Harry Kewell up front looked threatening as Leeds dominated.

Tim Flowers was sent sprawling to his left to tip wide a long-range shot from Gary Kelly and, after an unusually tentative start, Leicester were dealt a blow when their influential midfielder Neil Lennon departed injured in the 15th minute to be replaced by Theo Zagorakis.

It was some consolation to them that David Batty was substituted shortly after his comeback from injury, and the appearance of Jones in place of the England international enabled Leicester to gain more of a grip.

Emile Heskey's speed always looked likely to offer their best outlet and it was a shot from the edge of the area by the 21-year-old which finally roused the home supporters. Nigel Martyn looked grateful to see it skid just wide of his left post.

Semi-Finals

Bolton v Tranmere West Ham v Leicester or Fulham

First legs to be played on January 11th and 12th, second legs on January 25th and 26th.

Bolton will play the first leg against Tranmere at home. West Ham will also be at home first when they take on the winners of the outstanding quarter-final between Leicester and Fulham.

Steve Walsh was narrowly off target with a header from an Oakes free-kick minutes later. And although Kewell had gone close to giving Leeds the lead in between, nudging a Bridges cross inches past an upright with his shoulder, the verve of the visitors' initial approach had long since disappeared as a largely atmosphereless tie drifted towards half-time.

Within a minute of the restart Ian Harte's cross picked out Bridges in space at the near post. Fortunately for them he failed to control his shot, which drifted harmlessly wide.

There was another escape for Leicester in the 51st minute when Kewell, released by Harte's long pass, saw his lob beat Flowers but drop wide. And much as O'Neill's team pressed after that it was difficult to see how they could breach the Leeds defence short of a piece of individual inspiration.

It said much that, in the 57th minute, O'Neill turned towards the main stand to urge the fans to lift his players. At that stage they had not mustered a shot on target. When Heskey burst into the area and threatened one, Lucas Radebe blocked.

Leicester City: Flowers, Taggart, Walsh, Izzet, Lennon (Zagorakis 15), Heskey, Savage, Elliott, Impey, Cottee (Gunnlaugsson 90), Oakes. Subs Not Used: Gilchrist, Campbell, Arphexad. Booked: Walsh, Heskey.

Leeds Utd: Martyn, Kelly, Harte, Radebe, Woodgate, Bridges (Duberry 90), Kewell, Bowyer, McPhail, Bakke, Batty (Jones 20). Subs Not Used: Huckerby, Robinson, Mills. Sent Off: Radebe (90). Booked: Bridges, Radebe, Bowyer.

Referee: G Barber (Tring, Herts).