LEICESTER are back at Wembley for the fourth time in five seasons and are now only one match away from returning to the Premiership at the first attempt.

Garry Parker got the vital goal at the Victoria Ground last night in the second leg of this Endsleigh League division one play off match.

It was a moment to cherish for the former Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest midfielder during a season of turmoil.

Parker was making his first start in 10 games after being dropped and stripped of the captaincy following a dressing room dust up with manager Martin O'Neill.

He replaced striker Mark Robins, who was dropped to substitute after failing to make an impact in the 0-0 first leg draw on Sunday.

The return match was a repetition of that game, a scrappy and tense affair until Parker's glorious strike after only 28 seconds of the second half.

Highly rated Emile Heskey delivered a perfect cross from the left and Parker, lurking at the far post, sent a scorching volley beyond Mark Prudhoe.

It was no more than Leicester deserved as they had the greater possession and created a number of openings.

Stoke rarely threatened and it was a bitter finale for manager Lou Macari, who has worked on a shoestring budget.

Leicester could have added a second goal when Mustafa Izzet delivered a perfect through ball to Scott Taylor.

The move broke down with Stoke grateful to Larus Sigurdsson, who made a splendid block to prevent Leicester getting a second goal.

The first half had seen a catalogue of errors, although Leicester always looked the more likely side to break the deadlock.

Stoke relied heavily on 15 goal striker Mark Sheron, who always looked dangerous. He made space on the edge of the penalty area but his shot was well wide. Then another well struck effort went into the arms of keeper Kevin Poole.

So Leicester now face Crystal Palace who, like themselves, were relegated last season.

Stoke fans behind the goal reacted bitterly to the defeat and spilled on to the pitch at the end before being driven back by mounted police in their efforts to get to the Leicester end.