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<\/a><\/p>\nLEEDS, England (Reuters) -Leicester City’s veteran striker Jamie Vardy came off the bench to break his long scoring drought and earn his side a 1-1 draw with a late equaliser in a crunch relegation battle away to Leeds United in the Premier League on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Leeds were closing in on a much-needed three points in their quest for safety thanks to Luis Sinisterra’s 20th-minute header after Leicester’s Youri Tielemans had a goal ruled out.<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old Vardy, who came on in the 70th minute, had other ideas though and fired past Leeds keeper Illan Meslier from James Maddison’s pass to rescue his side.<\/p>\n
It was his first league goal since October and the former England striker thought he had given Leicester the lead shortly afterwards but his effort was ruled out for offside.<\/p>\n
A frantic finale saw Leicester keeper Daniel Iversen make an outstanding save to keep out Marc Roca’s close-range header before Leeds striker Patrick Bamford scuffed a glorious opportunity wide.<\/p>\n
The result did little to ease either side’s relegation fears with Leicester remaining in 17th place with 29 points, one point ahead of third-from-bottom Everton who would move above them if they avoid defeat by Newcastle United on Thursday. Leeds have 30 points.<\/p>\n
Second-from-bottom Nottingham Forest could also leapfrog Leicester if they win at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
VARDY RAZOR SHARP<\/p>\n
Vardy, whose goals powered Leicester to a fairytale title in 2016, has cut a frustrated figure this season and had not scored in any competition since a League Cup game in December.<\/p>\n
But he looked razor sharp after interim manager Dean Smith sent him on and he drilled a low shot into the corner after a sweeping Leicester move ended with Maddison playing him in.<\/p>\n
“It could be massive. We have five cup finals left. We’ll enjoy the point tonight, then get back in and recover,” Vardy said. “I can’t say what I want to say on TV because I’ll get done but it’s been a weird season for me. Hopefully the goals keep coming.”<\/p>\n
Defeat would have been harsh on Leicester who were denied an early lead when Tielemans seized on a loose ball and sent an unstoppable shot into the top corner.<\/p>\n
Sadly for the Belgian, a VAR check deemed Boubacary Soumare had been slightly offside in the build-up.<\/p>\n
There was a nervous energy around Elland Road after three successive defeats but there was an explosion of relief when a superb move down the right saw Jack Harrison deliver a superb curling cross that Sinisterra headed down and into the net.<\/p>\n
Javi Gracia’s Leeds seemed content to try to hang on to their slender advantage in the second half and, with Maddison pulling the strings, Leicester took charge.<\/p>\n
Meslier twice denied Kelechi Iheanacho, who went off injured, before Vardy’s crucial contribution.<\/p>\n
It was arguably a better point for Leicester who should have a smoother run-in than Leeds who still have to play Manchester City and Newcastle United in their last five games.<\/p>\n
“We try to put the past behind us, learn from our mistakes and continue on in a positive way,” Harrison said.<\/p>\n
“We’re looking for every point we can get in this moment in time. It’s not what we wanted but we will take it.”<\/p>\n
(Reporting by Martyn HermanEditing by Toby Davis and Clare Fallon)<\/p>\n
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