Leicester and Blackburn seemed dizzy at the height they have reached this season and took a while last night to find their feet. But each half had a spell of desperate excitement before both sides ended happy to preserve their records.

Leicester remain unbeaten at home, Blackburn away, as Chris Sutton's ninth goal of the season was soon cancelled by Muzzy Izzet before half-time.

Graham Fenton, eager to show Rovers their folly in selling him, did well to reach a deep cross at the goal-line and nod it back to Pontus Kaamark for a clear shot. He then went closer with a shot himself, from Emile Heskey's lay back. By then Tim Flowers had got himself into all kinds of trouble after punching when he might have caught. Colin Hendry headed off the line under pressure from Heskey and the danger was not cleared until the goalkeeper had contributed several lunges, another punch and a header.

Apart from a 30-yard free-kick by Sutton, Kasey Keller was idle until a burst of action 10 minutes before half-time when he saved twice but was beaten between times, all in three minutes. He twice denied Martin Dahlin but was unable to stop Sutton's 20yard drive when Izzet failed to flick away Kevin Gallacher's cross. Izzet made amends in six minutes.

Fenton dispossessed Gallacher at the goal-line, Hendry headed out but the ball reached Izzet who volleyed it brilliantly across Flowers into the corner. Matt Elliott could have put Leicester ahead before the interval but, unmarked, he barely connected with Heskey's chip to the far post.

When Henchoz was replaced by Lars Bohinen at half-time Sutton moved back, like Ian Marshall. The game fell back into its sober early form until midway through the half, when Hendry headed out Fenton's centre, then deflected Rob Savage's goal-bound shot lying on the ground. From the corner Marshall and Spencer Prior each had a shot cleared off the line.

Leicester: Keller, Kaamark, Guppy, Prior, Elliott, Izzet, Lennon, Parker (Savage 65), Fenton (Cottee 77), Marshall, Heskey. Subs Not Used: Andrews, Campbell, Claridge. Booked: Elliott. Goal: Izzet 43.

Blackburn: Flowers, Kenna, Sherwood, Hendry, Sutton, Dahlin, Wilcox, Gallacher, Flitcroft, Valery (McKinlay 87), Henchoz (Bohinen 45). Subs Not Used: Pedersen, Duff, Fettis. Booked: Wilcox, Kenna. Goal: Sutton 36. Att: 19,921.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).