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Leicester v Swindon reaction

Saturday 28th January 2012 21:17

Caddis and Dyer: Challenge for the ball

Caddis and Dyer: Challenge for the ball

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Nigel Pearson urged Jermaine Beckford to transfer his FA Cup goalscoring exploits to the Championship after his goals sank Swindon 2-0.

The striker was on hand to fire home in either half for the the Foxes, who had to rely on a string of fine saves by Kasper Schmeichel to keep the battling Robins at bay.

Beckford scored a hat-trick in Leicester's third-round replay win against Nottingham Forest and has now notched 14 goals in 16 appearances in the competition.

But league goals remain hard to come by for the former Leeds and Everton striker, and Pearson said: "We want to see him transfer his goals into the league because the league remains the elusive conundrum in trying to get some consistency.

"We've had two games in the FA Cup and he's scored five goals, so he's okay. In the last two or three games he has improved. He's been getting into some good positions and is scoring well."

Pearson, who revealed Beckford was substituted in the second half as a precaution against a tight hamstring, praised Swindon for their vibrant first-half performance.

"It was all about getting through to the next round," he said. "They played very well in the first half when they caused us a few problems, but in the second half we were quite comfortable.

"It was going to be a tight game but ultimately in the second half we were very comfortable. Credit to them, they came here and played good football and with spirit and it's easy to see why they've caused teams problems."

Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio thought Leicester defender Paul Konchesky should have been sent off for a heavy tackle which left Simon Ferry needing lengthy treatment to an injured knee.

The Italian said: "It was clear it was a red card. It was a bad tackle. The referee made a mistake. The foot on the leg was very high."

Di Canio praised his side for the way they fought back after conceding an early goal, saying: "We started very shy and then started to play more freely and had chances to draw level.

"The second half was more difficult after their second goal. We lost a bit of belief and energy.

"In general we have to be proud of the players and the fans who really tried to encourage the players."

Beckford's first goal arrived in the fourth minute when he drove home from 12 yards after latching on to City skipper Matt Mills' cross.

Swindon were denied an equaliser when Schmeichel reacted smartly to push away Alan Connell's close-range header and again when the City keeper was forced to tip over a fierce shot from the same player after 30 minutes.

Mills had to dive in bravely five minutes before the break to block Matt Ritchie's goal-bound shot as Swindon - urged on by nearly 4,000 travelling fans - continued to press.

There was controversy in first-half stoppage time when Konchesky escaped with a yellow card for a lunging tackle on Ferry.

Schmeichel came to Leicester's rescue again when he was at full stretch to keep out the resultant 35-yard free-kick from Alessandro Cibocchi.

Swindon's challenge faded after Beckford grabbed his second on 53 minutes when he swept home from 10 yards after Paul Gallagher's cross was only half cleared by Paul Caddis.