PEARSON: IT'S IN CARDIFF'S HANDS

Nigel Pearson was in a despondent mood following Rudy Gestede's late equaliser on Tuesday night, and quick to praise his side despite their injury-time slip-up.

“We deserved to win, we were the much better side," Pearson exclaimed. "I think over the two games we have played against Cardiff we have played very well.

"It was a bit cruel on the players tonight, bearing in mind how late it was. It is never an easy place to come to but, I thought the players applied themselves very well.”

The Leicester manager was not worried about his side's performances when questioned on their recent form - despite Leicester languishing thirteen points behind Cardiff in fifth spot.

"Our local press just said that was a good point gained," Pearson continued. "At home if we draw it is all doom and gloom. That is just the perspective you have to deal with.

"We know that our points tally of late has not been good enough and off the pace but we also know we have been playing pretty well. Tonight I just feel for the players. Cardiff always look dangerous from set plays but in terms of creativity they have not really hurt us at all.

With the Foxes’ squad hit by injuries before this fixture, Pearson spoke of how lack of match fitness of some of the players filling in could be the reason for City’s equaliser, adding: “It was fatigue at the end of the game. The players out there haven’t played in a while and just didn’t stop the cross. Unfortunately it was a well-executed header. It happens and I am not going to get too down beat about it.

“You have got to work your way through difficult periods. We played better in the second half than we did in the first. We weren’t very fluid in the first half but we did still create opportunities. You have got to show courage to get through difficult spells, and I think the players did that tonight.”

The Foxes’ boss also stated that promotion to the Premier League was all in Cardiff City’s own hands, and how it is about keeping their nerve.

“It is up to them," stated the former Middlesbrough defender. "They have got enough games; it is in their own hands. It is like everyone else, it is down to if they can keep their nerve and if their fans can keep their nerve.

"The points you drop now are no more important than the ones in August but there is a different slant on it. You have got to remain calm and level headed.”