Matt Oakley's early goal gave Leicester a deserved win at the Walkers Stadium.

The Foxes went ahead on three minutes when Lloyd Dyer's mazy run into the box saw him tee up Oakley who bundled the ball in from close range.

Leicester's Steve Howard also found the net with a header but it was disallowed for pushing and Matt Fryatt somehow scooped a shot over from three yards.

Hartlepool's best chance saw Michael Nelson's 20-yard volley superbly saved by home keeper Dave Martin.

Leicester: Martin, Gilbert, Tunchev, Hobbs, Powell, Adams, Oakley, Andy King, Dyer, Howard, Fryatt.
Subs Not Used: Henderson, Morrison, Wesolowski, Berner, Craig King.

Booked: Fryatt.

Goals: Oakley 3.

Hartlepool: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Collins, Nelson, Humphreys, Sweeney (Mackay 70), Liddle (Robson 79), Jones, Monkhouse, Porter (Barker 57), Brown.
Subs Not Used: Clark, Power.

Booked: Monkhouse.

Att: 18,578.

Ref: Mike Thorpe (Suffolk).