Warnock's run ended by Hayles' late strike as Leicester sink Palace

The 35-year-old striker inadvertently looped the ball home from inside the six-yard box with two minutes remaining to end Palace's 15-match unbeaten run.

Had they held out, Warnock would have equalled his longest unbeaten sequence in a management career stretching back 21 years as this contest became a war of attrition on a bog of a pitch.

But substitute Gabor Bori found Matt Oakley on the right and for once Palace's defensive minders were nowhere to be seen as the midfielder's low cross into the area caused havoc.

It was missed by DJ Campbell, hit Hayles on his standing foot, then lobbed up in the air and into the net.

Warnock was philosophical, as befits a man who assumed control three months ago with the club deep among the deadbeats. He would have emulated his feat at Notts County during their promotion season in 1989-90 had Hayles not stepped in.

"I was only a couple of minutes away, wasn't I?" he said. "There was nothing in the game and I thought I was there. There were two good defences and that pitch was about the worst I've ever seen. We defended very well and our keeper wasn't troubled."

The Hayles winner moved Leicester five places up the table, though the congestion near the bottom shows little sign of easing.

Holloway's decision to add experience to a decidedly raw group of players in the shape of Hayles and former Derby duo Oakley and Steve Howard is starting to reap rewards.

Palace would have jumped over Stoke City into fourth place had they won by three clear goals, but the pitch put paid to any notion of the beautiful game.

Until Clinton Morrison poked home Shaun Derry's wayward shot in the 65th minute, only for the offside flag to go up, there had hardly been a noteworthy incident in either goalmouth.

It was not until the late stages, when the desperation of a freezing crowd seeped through to the players, that the excitement rose.

They have not had much to shout about at the Walkers Stadium for a good few years and the celebration at Hayles' goal — along with the opportunity to rub Warnock's face in it, too, no doubt — was obvious.

Holloway is Leicester's fourth manager this season and he seems to be steadying the ship.

He said: "It was a strange old game. Everyone was wondering whether we could keep it going — our little two-game run — and we did.

"We prepared very well and the boys were up for it. The pitch didn't help anyone. It was a pudding. And Palace remind me of the Wimbledon sides of old in the way that they keep turning you.

"We are showing resilience and I think the supporters appreciate that. As for the goal, Barry said he deliberately placed it. He said he saw that space and nobbled it in. If you believe him, you are mad."

Holloway could not resist a parting shot at Warnock. There is no real animosity between them but the Leicester boss ended a miserable night for his counterpart by saying: "I think he looks like Mrs Doubtfire when he's got his glasses on. I showed a picture of him to Sky television but I haven't told him that.

"I'm just jealous. He's got a full head of hair. I suppose he can call me Gollum from Lord of the Rings if he wants to."

Yes, it was that sort of night at the Walkers Stadium.