Middlesbrough substitute Marvin Emnes missed an injury-time penalty as the visitors suffered a third straight league defeat in front of a vastly reduced attendance at promotion rivals Leicester City.
Former England striker David Nugent grabbed the only goal of the contest with twenty minutes remaining after his side had already been denied by the woodwork on three occasions.
However, Boro had a late chance to salvage a point, only for Kasper Schmeichel to block Emnes’ penalty.
The Teessiders earlier underwent a delayed journey in the harsh winter conditions which saw the kick-off put back by fifteen minutes – and that following on from four separate pitch inspections.
Scott McDonald struck over for the visitors after Jason Steele had already safely gathered from Ben Marshall. The England Under-21 international then did well to keep out Chris Wood before his team-mate Justin Hoyte limped off and was replaced by Kevin Thomson.
Boro’s Josh McEachran and Grant Leadbitter each tried further efforts, but it was their opponents going desperately close as Anthony Knockaert struck the underside of their crossbar and the loose ball was eventually scrambled to safety.
Home keeper Schmeichel was next required to deal with a 20-yard drive from McDonald and then Andre Bikey’s header before Knockaert screwed wide in reply following a slip by Thomson.
But opposite number Steele was still the busier and made a couple more fine saves as the interval approached, while Michael Keane also headed against the crossbar.
That same trend continued upon the restart with this time Wood heading against an upright before Nugent had an effort ruled out for offside, although he was to enjoy much better fortune when volleying past Steele from the edge of the area to give his side a 70th minute lead.
Foxes substitute Lloyd Dyer then drilled straight at Steele and fellow replacement Jamie Vardy dragged another opportunity wide after Leadbitter had already forced an extended stop from Schmeichel at the other end.
And the Danish keeper went one better in added time when falling low to his left to frustrate Emnes from the spot after Rhys Williams had been brought down inside the home area.
Leicester City: Schmeichel, De Laet, Konchesky, Morgan, M. Keane, Drinkwater, Marshall (King 81), James, Knockaert (Dyer 76), Nugent (Vardy 83), Wood
subs (unused): Logan, Moore, Gallagher, Waghorn
Goals: Nugent (70)
Middlesbrough: Steele, Hoyte (Thomson 21), Bikey, Hines, Friend, R. Williams, Leadbitter, McEachran (Emnes 69), Haroun, Ledesma, McDonald (Jutkiewicz 72)
subs (unused): Ripley, Reach, Bailey, Smallwood
Ref: East
Att: 8,585
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Leicester fan here. Thoroughly enjoyed the game and was very impressed by Middlesbrough’s game plan. I think you’ll certainly be there or thereabouts in May!