Brian Deane and Paul Dickov each scored their fifth goals of the season as buoyant Leicester underlined their promotion potential in the first ever evening game at the Walkers Bowl.

A revitalised Deane struck first in the 27th minute and Dickov slid home a second-half penalty to keep the front pair's proud record going.

Deane prodded home a left-wing corner by Muzzy Izzet after visiting striker Ashley Ward had flashed the cross dangerously across his own goal line.

And the Bantams' bright start was obliterated less than a minute later when Alan Rogers' corner from the opposite side was nodded down by Frank Sinclair and back-heeled home by Matt Elliott.

Deane limped off through injury at half-time, but Dickov swept home a 67th minute penalty past Aidan Davison after being hauled back in the box by Robert Molenaar.

Jamie Scowcroft rounded off the rout in injury time when he squeezed home a 20-yard effort to Davison's right.

Nicky Law's side had gone into the game on the back of three consecutive wins, but ultimately proved no match for Micky Adams' side, who comfortably consolidated second place behind Portsmouth.

Michael Proctor provided the visitors' early highlights and he had the first chance in the fourth minute when he blasted a 25-yard shot straight at Ian Walker.

Stephen Warnock also forced a save from Walker before the same player cleverly dummied a cross from Procter and Peter Atherton lashed a long-range shot inches wide of Walker's right-hand post.

Leicester, aiming to maintain their proud 100% record at their new stadium after their rout of local rivals Derby at the weekend, gained impetus through the lively Dickov up front.

But the striker failed to take advantage when he mis-kicked from the right side of the box after getting round the Bantams defence.

Deane's looping header from Andy Impey's cross fell into the arms of visiting keeper Aidan Davison.

Timely challenge

Rogers tried an audacious left-foot effort from 25 yards which dropped not far from Davison's left-hand post.

Despite the absence of Deane in the second half the Foxes showed plenty of bite up front and Izzet was denied in the 51st minute by a timely challenge by the impressive Warnock.

Danny Cadamarteri hit a rising shot over the bar in a rare foray forward for the visitors, but back at the other end Dickov saw a powerful long-range effort tipped over.

Dickov had a goal disallowed for an offside against Jamie Scowcroft and Sinclair saw a late chance crash just wide of Davison's right-hand post.

Leicester: Walker, Impey, Sinclair, Elliott, Davidson, Scowcroft, McKinlay, Izzet, Rogers, Dickov, Deane. Subs: Heath, Summerbee, Benjamin, Lewis, Reeves.

Bradford: Davison, Uhlenbeek, Molenaar, Atherton, Myers, Gray, Proctor, Bower, Warnock, Ward, Cadamarteri. Subs: Banks, Jacobs, Juanjo, Standing, Evans.

Referee: M Fletcher (Worcestershire)