Iain Hume Thread

[Joe MacCarthy]

After I posted this yesterday at another site...

I've been getting a bad feeling about Hume. He's been at Tranmere for too long and he should be making a move. Had a chance to go to Wednesday but apparently didn't like the salary they were offering. Nevertheless he's gotta get out of League One. We can only keep saying "he's still young" for so long.

Spursfan at Vs today posts this rumour

Hume Set For Wigan And Rejoin Taylor
Total Tranmere .co.uk – Our News, Your Views
http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s383/st79203.htm
By Quayle - August 13 2005

Wigan seem to be happy to snap up Tranmere's star players, as they now look to replace Nathan Ellington, so they look to Rovers to help them out. They are hot on the heels of Canadian star, Iain Hume. A region of £1,000,000 is rumoured to have been made.

Premiership newcomers, Wigan Athletic already have one Tranmere starlet on their books now in Ryan Taylor, but apparently have come in for Canadian striker Iain Hume.

Hume has already attracted the attention of Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday this summer, and reports have surfaced that he is unhappy and has sacked his agent.

Wigan are believed to have made an offer of £1,000,000. But this sum is likely to be in installments, a lot like Ryan Taylor.

Hume seems to be a replacement for the imminent departure of striker Nathan Ellington, who is likely to move to West Bromwich Albion for £3,000,000.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Can. in UK at Vs

Leicester agree Hume deal
by Graeme Bailey - created on 31 Aug 2005

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=302990&cpid=10&CLID=13&lid=&title=LEICESTER+AGREE+HUME+DEAL&channel=championship

Leicester have agreed a deal with Tranmere for striker Iain Hume.

The Canadian international is now in talks with The Foxes, after a deal - which could be worth up to £750,000 - was struck by the clubs.

Leicester, who are selling striker David Connolly to Wigan, have already sealed a deal for Elvis Hammond from Fulham - who had been on loan at the club, and now they look set to follow this up with the purchase of Hume.

"During my time here Iain has done very well and despite interest from other clubs we have managed to keep him," said Rovers boss Brian Little - who himself landed Delroy Facey from Oldham on Wednesday.

"However, in recent months Iain and his representatives have made it fairly clear that if an offer came through from a club in a higher league, he would be very interested to go."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Confirmed

Hume Completes City Move

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~707401,00.html?

Leicester City have today completed the signing of Iain Hume from Tranmere Rovers for a fee that could rise to £750,000.

The 21-year-old striker has become one of the most sought after players outside the Championship following an impressive start to his career at Prenton Park.

And the Foxes have beaten off competition from a number of rivals to secure the signature of the Canadian international forward.

Hume was a member of the Tranmere first team at the tender age of 16, and enjoyed his best goalscoring season to date last term - bagging 16 goals.

The Edinburgh-born marksman arrived at the Walkers Stadium on Wednesday afternoon to discuss personal terms and complete his medical. He has signed a contract that will keep him at the club until June 2008.

City boss Craig Levein said: "We are delighted to have been able to sign Iain. He is a player that we have been watching for some time now, but we always thought he was out of our price range. We were able to use some of the money from David Connolly's move to Wigan to secure Iain's signature.

"He is a young player and fits into the profile of the squad. I am excited that we managed to capture him ahead of other interested clubs."

Hume becomes Craig Levein's most expensive capture to date - and will join up with his new team-mates for the first time when they return from a two-day break to training on Thursday.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Hume leaves Rovers

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2005/09/01/1197540-cp.html

LEICESTER, England (CP) - Canadian striker Iain Hume has moved up a division in England, leaving Tranmere Rovers for Leicester City.

The clubs said the fee could reach as high as 750,000 pounds ($1.61 million Cdn). It includes a guaranteed 500,000 pounds ($1.08 million Cdn) with another 250,000 ($538,050 Cdn) if Leicester is promoted to the Premier League. Tranmere will also get 10 per cent of any future deal if Leicester sells Hume at a later date.

The move came just before Wednesday midnight's transfer window deadline.

Tranmere said Leicester's offer was "far more attractive" than others over the summer from Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday.

The 21-year-old from Brampton, Ont., was Tranmere's leading scorer in League One last season with 16 goals.

Hume, who has 13 caps for Canada, has signed a contract that will keep him at Leicester until June 2008.

"He is a player that we have been watching for some time now, but we always thought he was out of our price range," manager Craig Levein was quoted on Leicester's official website. "We were able to use some of the money from David Connolly's move to Wigan to secure Iain's signature."

Leicester sold Connolly for two million pounds ($4.3 million Cdn), with the fee possibly rising to three million ($6.5 million Cdn).

Leicester also signed Fulham striker Elvis Hammond for a fee that could rise to 350,000 pounds ($753,700 Cdn). Hammond had been with the Foxes on loan this season.

The Foxes (1-3-2) are currently 18th in the League Championship and have been outscored 11-8. Tranmere (3-2-1) is seventh in League One, outscoring its opponents 9-5.

Tranmere said Hume had made it clear that he wanted to move up a division.

"Iain has clearly been unsettled and this was a factor," club chairman Lorraine Rogers said on Tranmere's website. "He made his views plain both directly and indirectly. Leicester have proposed a very good deal for the club and, therefore, we gave Iain permission to talk to them."

Hume joined Tranmere in September 1999. He became the youngest player to appear for the first team when he made his debut against Swindon Town in April 2000 aged 16 years 167 days, breaking Dixie Dean's record.

He signed a pro contract at 17 and he made his first start against Cardiff at Ninian Park in October 2001.

Hume scored 37 goals in 176 games for Tranmere.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Kelly: Hume Was A Long Term Target

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~707858,00.html

Assistant manager Rob Kelly today revealed that new signing Iain Hume has always been on the City wanted list.

The 21-year-old striker completed a £500,000 switch from Tranmere to the Walkers Stadium as the summer transfer window closed on Wednesday evening.

And Kelly confirmed that Hume's arrival hadn't simply been a knee-jerk reaction following the departure of David Connolly to Wigan Athletic.

He said: "We have a hit list which contains people that we constantly monitor. It covers all positions, so if we were to get an injury or a player leaves you have got plan a, b, c and d to fall back on. Iain was on that list.

"The manager and Peter Houston were aware of him from their time up at Hearts. He was born in Scotland, went to Canada and then came back over here. Hearts watched him a number of times when he first broke into the Tranmere first team. He is a player that we have monitored as we went along.

""I watched Iain a couple of times when I was at Blackburn. At the time we felt that he needed to play in the league a bit more and he was better off in Tranmere's first team rather than our reserves.

"There are several other players who we are watching all the time in case things develop."

And in City's latest acquisition, Kelly can see something of two former Leicester frontmen.

He added: "Iain is a similar type of player to David Connolly. He probably falls into the Connolly and Dickov mould. In fact I'd say that he sits somewhere in-between both of them."

Hume will now face a battle it out with Dion Dublin, Mark de Vries and fellow new recruit Elvis Hammond for the two places in the Leicester attack.

Kelly said: "We have got a good front four now. We have got pace, some legs and some physical presence. I believe there are goals in the side."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Former Foxes Aid Hume Switch

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~708204,00.html

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/5c/bf/0,,10274~2735964,00.jpg
New signing Iain Hume said joining Leicester was easy after speaking to Brian Little and Ricky Hill.

Former City boss Little is now in charge at Tranmere Rovers, following spells at Aston Villa, Stoke, West Brom and Hull City, while Hill, who had a spell at Filbert Street as a player in the early 90s, is his assistant at Prenton Park.

And Hume confirmed the duo couldn't speak highly enough of Leicester when he was pondering the move.

He said: "Brian Little told me that Leicester were an unbelievable club and he said he'd spent the best three years of his management career there. I also spoke to Ricky Hill, the assistant manager at Tranmere, who is from Leicester. He also had a lot of good things to say about the club and the area and that helped to make up my mind."

Hume's arrival followed the departure of David Connolly to Wigan, and he is now looking forward to getting his head down and winning the vacant spot in the City attack.

He added: "There is a place up for grabs and I intend to do my best to fill it. It's up to me now to prove myself to the manager ahead of the Sheffield Wednesday game."

Comparisons to former City striker Paul Dickov have already been made, and the 21-year-old agreed that he was a similar player.

He added: "I am small so I have got to be tenacious. I like to play football. Hopefully, if I am involved against Sheffield Wednesday, I will be able to show people what I can do."

There is a little bit of everything in the accent of City's most recent acquisition - which he revealed comes from his interesting upbringing.

He said: "I was born in Scotland but we moved over to Canada when I was really young. I lived there for 15 years so everything I know is Canadian and that's where my heart lies.

"I have been at Tranmere for six years so my accent is a bit mixed up. But I am sure that after a year or so here it will turn into an East Midlands accent."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Cdn Supporter at BS for headsup

Hume Hungry For Goals

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~744248,00.html?

All Iain Hume wants is a goal - and he doesn't care how it comes about as long as he sees the ball nestle into the back of the opponents' net.

The Canadian international striker has helped himself to just one goal so far following his move from Tranmere Rovers back in August.

Hume bagged in the 1-1 at local rivals Derby County last month but the 22-year-old is confident that more will follow sooner rather than later.

He said: "If anyone has watched some of the games that I have played in then they will have seen that I have hit posts and have had keepers pull off great saves.

"It's just one of those things. I just need one to hit me on the back of the head, bounce off my thigh or something stupid. I need a goal to get me going again.

"After the Derby match we had an international break which kind of took the wind out of my sails a bit, but hopefully if I can get involved again against Watford tonight then I can add to my tally."

Hume was a part of the side who returned from Vicarage Road with a deserved 2-1 victory last month.

He hit the post late on in that game and added: "The Watford line-up is pretty much the same as it was when we faced them last month apart from a couple of players so we know what we are going to be up against.

"But we have already beaten them so we will be going into the match full of confidence.

"We know that we are playing well in defence and midfield, it is now just a case of our strikers being more ruthless and scoring more goals and that includes me.

"Mark (de Vries) has got eight goals but the next player down the list is Joey Gudjonsson with two. As a striker that is not what you want to see.

"We lacked a bit of ruthlessness in front of goal against Burnley but hopefully we can put that right against Watford."

Hume was on target however for Canada last week when his 69th minute strike handed his country a 1-0 victory over Luxembourg.

"It was a poor game if I am honest but my first international goal means the world to me.

"My international career is up there for me. I want to play as many games for Canada as I possibly can.

"I love playing for them and hopefully I can continue doing just that for years to come."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Hitman Hume Praises Impressive Foxes

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~746866,00.html?

Iain Hume believes City can take great heart from Saturday's 4-2 victory over Championship promotion favourites Sheffield United at the Walkers Stadium.

The Canadian international, starting his first game in almost a month, helped himself to a brace as the Foxes came away with a fully-deserved three points.

The 22-year-old striker said: "It was a great performance and showed that we are one of the top teams in this division when we turn in a showing like that.

"We beat them quite comfortably and we could have scored more goals.

"We know we can cope with the best in this league but it's now just a matter of keeping things going.

"Everyone connected with the club can take a lot of heart from Saturday's performance."

Hume scored a goal in either half and was also pleased to see strike partner Elvis Hammond find the back of the net.

"It was nice to get a couple and also see Elvis score. The two of us have had a hard time of it lately and just haven't been able to net.

"Saturday's goals have taken the weight off our shoulders but it's only one game and they will mean nothing if we play terribly next weekend at Leeds.

"As a team we must push on and build on the result and performance."

The Foxes are up to 14th in the table and Hume was also pleased with the backing the players received from the partisan crowd during the weekend's encounter.

"I am sure our fans will have noticed by now how we react when we do have people behind us.

"They were great on Saturday but we need them to keep singing because I am convinced that we will become a force to be reckoned with in this division if everyone pulls together week in, week out."

Hume is cup-tied for Wednesday's match at Premiership outfit Bolton Wanderers but is hoping to be included at Elland Road next Saturday.

"Wednesday's cup game is a massive one but our main aim is the league," he added.

"Leeds are a huge club and shouldn't really be in this division but if we go there and put in a similar performance then I think we can get a good result."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Leicester City upset the formbook to record a morale-boosting 4-2 victory over Championship high-fliers Sheffield United at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10274~29620,00.html

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/22/d6/0,,10274~2741794,00.jpg
Iain Hume

Striker Iain Hume helped himself to a classy double while Elvis Hammond netted his second goal for the Foxes.

The hosts firmly put the disappointment of Tuesday night behind them as they dominated the match and created an abundance of goalscoring opportunities with Nils-Eric Johansson hitting the bar and Alan Maybury also going close.

The margin of victory could certainly have been greater had it not been for Blades keeper Paddy Kenny but the quartet of goals was enough to inflict only a third league defeat of the campaign on the second-placed visitors.

Smith's cross from the right was headed down by Hammond into the path of Hume, who made no mistake from the angle, powering the ball past Paddy Kenny and into the roof of the net.

The hosts then doubled their advantage on 14 minutes thanks to Smith's first goal for the club.

Hume did brilliantly on the right flank, jinking in between two players before lifting the ball over for the teenager, on-loan from Arsenal, who headed into the bottom corner past a stranded Kenny.

Hume was booked for dissent on the hour before Nick Montgomery was also yellow-carded for a foul on Hammond.

Hammond did finally make his way onto the scoresheet in the 74th minute.

Hume's neat flick found the hitman and he this time made no mistake from eight-yards out for City's third much to the partisan crowd's delight.

Alan Wright became the 10th player to be cautioned in stoppage time before Hume netted his second and City's fourth of the match.

Short headed home a consolation with the last play of the game but it was the home side who claimed a deserved three points.

City: Douglas, Maybury, McCarthy, Gerrbrand, Johansson, Sylla, Gudjonsson, Kisnorbo ©, Smith (Hamill 77) Hume, Hammond (De Vries 83). Subs not used: Williams, Stearman, Tiatto.

United: Kenny, Bromby, Jagielka ©, Pericard (Shipperley 70), Webber, Quinn, Montgomery, Tonge (Short 85), Gillespie (Kabba 45), Wright, Geary. Subs not used: Ifill, Nalis.

Yellow Cards

City: Sylla (8), Gudjonsson (30), Maybury (43), Hume (60), Smith (66)

United: Geary (41), Tonge (45), Montgomery (62), Webber (88), Wright (90)

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire)

Attendance: 22,382

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Sigma at Vs for headsup

Hume Linked With Owls - Again
http://www.sheffwed.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=31162

Leicester City hitman Iain Hume has been linked with a move to the Owls according to reports today after the Canadian hitman has failed to secure a regular first-team spot at the Walkers Stadium.

Wednesday were linked with a move for the former Tranmere Rovers man before he opted for Leciester City last August. And with the Owls among the lowest scorers in the Championship this season, Hume could be seen as an ideal option on loan or on a permanent basis.

But the Owls current financial situation could see the latter ruled out, unless boss Paul Sturrock sells some of his assets in the January transfer window. Glenn Whelen is currently on the transfer-list but his impressive performances this season could see Sturrock remove him.

Hume has made 31 starts for the Foxes since his move from Tranmere - netting ten goals. But his starts for the Walkers Stadium club have been limited this season with Foxes boss Rob Kelly opting for Matty Fryatt and youngster Chris O'Grady in attack, with Elvis Hammond also providing back-up.

Hume has also been linked with a move back to Canada to play for new club Toronto, while Preston North End are also rumoured to be interested in the striker's services.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Two wonder strikes from Iain Hume helped steer Leicester City to a crucial 3-2 victory over high-flying Southampton at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10274~33267,00.html

The Canadian international netted one in either half from distance to secure his third and fourth goals of the campaign.

Jhon Viafara and Inigo Idiakez pulled goals back for the Saints but City had the last laugh when substitute Richard Stearman scored to ensure the Foxes picked up their first home victory since the end of August.

The win also stretched the home side's unbeaten run to five games.

City came within inches of opening the scoring as early as the fourth minute when Hume's glancing header from Danny Tiatto's cross flew just wide of the left-hand upright.

At the other end, Saints had appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Keith Hill after they believed Gareth McAuley had handled Rudi Skacel's cross from the left.

Viafara was the first player to be cautioned in the sixth minute.

Conrad Logan came off his line well to punch clear Skacel's inswinging free-kick before Andy Johnson was booked for a foul on the same player in the 14th minute.

Gareth McAuley produced a timely tackle to thwart Bradley Wright-Phillips two minutes later.

City earned themselves two successive corners on 17 minutes which resulted in former Saint Darren Kenton firing wide from the edge of the area.

Tiatto was yellow-carded on the half-hour when he brought down Alexander Ostlund on the right-flank but Logan held on to Skacel's free-kick before clearing the danger.

And it was the Foxes who broke the deadlock on 35 minutes thanks to an impressive individual goal from Iain Hume.

After neatly controlling the ball, the Canadian international striker brilliantly turned Claus Lundekvam before cutting inside and unleashing a 20-yard curling effort which flew past Kelvin Davis and into the back of the net for the opener.

The hosts almost doubled their advantage five minutes later when Elvis Hammond met Josh Low's inch-perfect cross but his volley went agonisingly the wrong side of the post with Davis beaten.

Two minutes before the break Lundekvam was cautioned for a foul on Hammond.

In a frantic finish to the half, Davis saved well with his legs from Nils-Eric Johansson's downward header then at the other end, Wright-Phillips side-footed his effort wide with only Logan to beat after being played in by Skacel.

Viafara put his shot over the bar on 45 minutes but the midfielder made amends in first-half stoppage time when he slotted home Grzegorz Rasiak's perfectly weighted through ball, which gave Logan little chance.

The visitors were forced into an early change at the start of the second half when the injured Skacel made way for Andrew Surman.

Logan spread himself well to deny Wright-Phillips on 51 minutes before Inigo Idiakez's low drive was deflected behind for a corner in the 57th minute.

The injured Kenton was replaced by Richard Stearman two minutes later and within three minutes City had restored their lead thanks to another special Hume strike.

After Hammond had out-muscled Lundekvam, the ball dropped to the diminutive hitman who hit a dipping effort past the despairing dive of Davis from 25-yards out.

However, immediately from the re-start Southampton equalised for a second time when Idiakez hit a long range effort through a crowd of players from distance which caught Logan unsighted and found the corner of the net.

But the Foxes were not to be outdone and made it 3-2 in the 65th minute - the third goal in as many minutes.

Johansson's deflected shot ricocheted back off the crossbar and Stearman was on hand to nod the ball home from close range under pressure from two defenders.

Logan pulled off a fine save to deny goalscorer Viafara in the 66th minute as the two teams continued to create chances.

Both sides made a change on 72 minutes with Stephen Hughes replacing Low and Mario Licka coming on for Jermaine Wright.

Rasiak volleyed over soon after then Wright-Phillips made way for David McGoldrick before Ostlund was cautioned after tangling with Hammond.

With Logan beaten, Paddy McCarthy and McAuley combined to head the ball clear from under their own bar but picked up injuries for their troubles.

Rasiak headed over the bar late on while at the other end, Hume almost completed his hat-trick when he capitalised on a Davis error but the keeper made amends by saving at the second attempt.

Chris O'Grady replaced Hammond in stoppage time and Rasiak was booked for protesting.

But Rob Kelly's men overcame a nervy seven minutes to record a vital victory.

City: Logan, Kenton (Stearman 59), McAuley, McCarthy ©, Johansson, Low (Hughes 72), Williams, Johnson, Tiatto, Hume, Hammond (O'Grady 90). Subs not used: Henderson, Porter.

Saints: Davis, Makin, Ostlund, Baird, Lundekvam ©, Wright (Licka 72), Viafara, Idiakez, Skacel (Surman 49), Wright-Phillips (McGoldrick 75), Rasiak. Subs not used: Miller, Pele, Surman.

Yellow Cards
City: Johnson (14), Tiatto (30)
Saints: Viafara (6), Lundekvam (43), Ostlund (79), Rasiak (90)

Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire)

Attendance: 21,347

[Joe MacCarthy]

Decision Time For Hitman Hume
http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10274~911965,00.html

Iain Hume may delve into the bathroom cabinet for the razor this weekend after his impressive brace helped the Foxes overcome Southampton 3-2 at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday.

The striker has recently been sporting a beard after vowing not to shave until he scored again this season.

But he may now opt to do away with the facial hair after netting his third and fourth goals of the campaign.

"I was saying that I was going to grow the beard until I scored again but now I've scored two I don't know whether to get rid of it or not!" said the Canadian, who had previously scored against Ipswich and Hereford.

"I will wait and see what the wife says when I get home and will then make a decision!"

Hume turned in a man-of-the-match display and was just delighted to be back doing what he does best for the team.

"I was like my old self today," he openly admitted. "I have to hold my hands up and say that I've not been anywhere as near as good so far this season as I was last.

"But this afternoon I felt confident, and every time I won a header or went in to a challenge I thought I'd come away with the ball.

"Today was as close to my best as it comes and I must now keep that form going, starting against Leeds on Tuesday night - if selected of course!"

The former Tranmere forward scored one goal in either half with sweet strikes from outside of the penalty area.

"I was delighted with both goals. Any striker will tell you that they just want to score and I am the same.

"I've experienced a bit of a rough patch but I've doubled my tally and nearly secured my first ever hat-trick so, with the three points, it was a pleasing day all round.

"We did make hard work of it and could have finished the game off on several other occasions but we got the three points and that's what we needed.

"Southampton are a good side and showed their battling qualities."

Hume is now hoping to get on the scoresheet at Elland Road on Tuesday when the Foxes travel to Leeds United.

"The manager knows what I can do and I know what I can do. I was just happy to be given the chance today," he added.

"Matty (Fryatt) being injured has opened the door for one of us other strikers to come in and claim a spot and hopefully I have strengthened my case for a regular start today."

[Joe MacCarthy]

http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10274~33820,00.html

An Iain Hume double was not enough to secure Leicester City all three points against 10-man Southend United at Roots Hall on Saturday afternoon.

The striker's ninth and 10th goals of the season - one in either half - looked to have earned his side another important victory.

But substitute Alan McCormack's injury-time leveller meant it finished all-square after a hard-fought contest.

The visitors had the better of the chances with Hume going close on several other occasions but despite letting the lead slip for a second time in added on time, the draw helped extend a rejuvenated City's unbeaten run to six matches.

Paul Henderson kept his side in the hunt as early as the seventh minute when he pulled off a brilliant double save from Freddy Eastwood.

Captain Kevin Maher split the hosts' defence but as the striker attempted to lob the ball over the onrushing Henderson, the Australian keeper brilliantly palmed away his effort with an outstretched arm before diving to block the follow-up effort with his legs.

And that save proved crucial as two minutes later the Foxes opened the scoring thanks to Iain Hume's clever header - his second in his last 17 Championship starts.

Andy Johnson fed Levi Porter on the left flank before his ball found the Canadian international, who nipped in front of his marker and glanced his header into the back of the net past a helpless Darryl Flahavan for the opener.

Geoff Horsfield was booked for an alleged dive inside the box on 14 minutes but the hitman was only denied by the athleticism of Flahavan four minutes later.

Stephen Hughes' pin-point cross-field ball found Porter, who in turn picked out the overlapping Hume.

His deep cross from the left fell kindly at the back post for Horsfield, who firm header was turned around the post by the Shrimpers No.1 for a corner.

From the resulting flag-kick, Porter's inswinging corner was met by the head of Patrick Kisnorbo and the ball flew agonisingly wide of the left-hand upright with Flahavan beaten.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce tried his luck from 20-yards but his drilled shot went wide of the goal then Eastwood failed to control Simon Francis' ball to the back post with the returning Richard Stearman clearing the danger.

Flahavan saved at the feet of Johnson on 28 minutes before Henderson comfortably gathered Maher's long range effort soon after.

After a lull in play, Hume's corner dropped into a crowded goalmouth but with Horsfield lurking, Lewis Hunt cleared the danger.

Hume should have doubled his and the Foxes' advantage in first-half stoppage time.

Alan Maybury's speculative ball forward proved a handful for Peter Clarke and the striker took full advantage.

He nicked the ball off the defender before finding himself one-on-one with Flahavan, but with the goal gaping, his chip over the keeper agonisingly rolled the wrong side of the left-hand post and it remained 1-0 at the break.

Johnson almost found the advancing Jason Jarrett on 48 minutes then Campbell-Ryce was booked for a foul on Maybury, which left the defender grounded.

But the hosts' equalised on 53 minutes through Eastwood's 16th of the season.

The striker capitalised on Gareth McAuley's slip inside the area before cutting inside Stearman and firing a low shot past an unsighted Henderson for the leveller.

Richie Foran quickly followed Campbell-Ryce into the book for a foul on Stearman near the team dug-outs in the 58th minute.

Hume could have restored City's lead on the hour but his shot went over the bar after Stearman's knock-down from Jarrett's free-kick.

Elvis Hammond replaced Horsfield on 66 minutes before Stearman was cautioned after bringing down Maher.

Flahavan saved from Hume moments later after good work by Hammond on the edge of the area then Lee Bradbury headed wide under pressure from Maybury in the 70th minute.

On 73 minutes McCormack replaced Bradbury before Foran was sent off for a second yellow card after bringing down Jarrett in full-flight.

Henderson had to be alert to tip Efe Sodje's header on to the bar from McCormick's cross in the 79th minute.

A minute later Mark Yeates came on for Porter but it was the visitors who restored their lead on 81 minutes.

Hammond collected the ball on the right flank before squaring to Hume and he bundled the ball into the back of the net under pressure from Clarke.

Both sides made a change on 86 minutes with Danny Cadamarteri replacing goalscorer Hume and Matt Harrold coming on for Sodje.

Maybury was stretchered off late on and with City down to 10-men, McCormack pounced in stoppage time to rescue his side a point.