Dickov harsh on Dons as Foxes scent promotion

Leicester City 3 Wimbledon

On the day the Leicester City board were forced to accept the virtually unanimous half-time show of cards voting the club retain their name rather than become Leicester Fosse, Paul Dickov's hat-trick gave Foxes fans a double dose of satisfaction and kept the Premiership firmly in sight.

With such a substantial gap between themselves and third-placed Reading, the greatest threat to Leicester's bid for promotion is that of complacency. Their draw with leaders Portsmouth earlier in the week was, perhaps, less than they had hoped for, but it represented a satisfactory outcome for both clubs. If anything, it confirmed that the First Division is a two-horse race for the title.

Wimbledon, though, are more than capable of exploiting any hint of overconfidence in their opponents. They set out looking familiarly competitive, but the first chance fell to Leicester. A cross from Trevor Benjamin after 10 minutes was scuffed towards goal by Dickov, but goalkeeper Kelvin Davies blocked and Moritz Volz cleared off the line. Wimbledon promptly squandered a wonderful chance when Neil Shipperley miscued a perfect centre from winger Jermaine Darlington over the bar.

Wimbledon remained solid at the back until, in the 32nd minute, a defending Darlington grabbed Frank Sinclair in full view of the referee, who immediately awarded a penalty. Dickov powerfully converted to score his 17th goal of the season.

Within eight minutes Dickov was celebrating his 18th. James Scowcroft's crossstruck Rob Gier on the arm. The referee was unsighted and allowed play to go on, but the linesman flagged and did not back down. Dickov sent in another fierce penalty. "It was a ludicrous decision," Wimbledon's manager, Stewart Murdoch, said later. "The player couldn't get out of the way."

The scoreline was harsh on Wimbledon – who played much the more cultured football throughout the game though with little end product – but it got even worse three minutes into the second half.

Benjamin, always a danger and frequently offered too much space, played the ball wide to Jordan Stewart, who returned it across the box. The ball bobbled, Davies failed to reach it and Benjamin simply lifted it over him for Leicester's third.

Although Scowcroft rattled the crossbar midway through the second half, Leicester's apparently comfortable advantage was scarcely deserved. Indeed, in the closing stages Wimbledon had the better chances, Gareth Ainsworth twice forcing Ian Walker into more-than-competent saves.

Dickov completed Leicester's victory, knocking in a rebound off Davies in the 89th minute for his hat-trick, but the victory was far less impressive than the margin might suggest. Even their manager, Micky Adams, said: "It was a flattering 4-0, but I don't care."

Leicester City 3 Wimbledon 0
Dickov pen 34, 41, Benjamin 48

Half-time: 2-0 Attendance: 31,438