Peter Taylor's problems continued today as City were beaten 3-0 by Middlesbrough at Filbert Street.

Although City started well enough it took 'boro only 10 minutes to score after 'boro gained a corner and from the resulting dodgy defending Hamilton Ricard headed home from six-yards.

Anyone at the game will argue that 'boro should never have been given the corner anyway after Simon Royce was floored inside the Leicester goal but it was just the beginning of City's reffing hell.

City did try to respond quickly as Junior Lewis sent Steve Guppys cross wide and Akinbiyi's weak shot was stopped by the 'boro keeper.

After half an hour Savage met Guppy's free kick after it rolled around in the penalty area but could only watch as his fine shot was blocked by Ehiogu as City attempted to pile on the pressure before half time in an attempt to get back on level terms with 'boro.

Sturridge and Sinclair linked up soon after to win City a corner after Ehiogu turned the ball behind. With City still desperately looking for the equaliser young Delaney hit the under-side of the bar and the rebound was just out of Akinbiyi's reach.

The half ended with Akinbiyi's best chance of the half as Impey crosses to Ade but the header shoots over the bar.

Half time's entertainment included a brief chat with Muzzy "Out for the season" Izzet and Birch's own attempt to pacify and ever increasingly disgruntled set of City fans by playing D:Ream's "Things can only get better". Shame they didn't!

City began the second half with Gunnlaugsson replacing Dean Sturridge and Steve Guppy immediately spurring an attack, winning City an early corner. Just minutes latter though City were forced to scratch their heads as 'boro broke quickly when Gerry Taggart lost possession in midfield with Boksic beating Royce with a chip from around the 25-yard mark.

Just 2 minutes latter City are caught out again as 'boro' Paul Ince shoots low to beat a sprawling Simon Royce.

City were in serious disarray. With them seemingly throwing everything at 'boro in the first few minutes it now seemed that they were again destined to lose.

Things didn't improve much.

More substitutions followed with Lee Marshall replacing Frank Sinclair and then latter Callum Davidson replacing Gerry Taggart, leaving Gary Rowett to wear the captains arm band. But even this could not improve City's fortunes.

The rest of the game was played out in similar fashion to the first half with chance after chance going begging for City and 'boro again and again looking dangerous on the break.

As the final whistle sounded it was clear to see that even though City will survive this season some questions will need to be asked if we are going to avoid getting in this state next season.

Why does the team, especially Gunnlaugsson, keep giving the ball away. Not occasionally but more times than is expected. Why does every shot that Akinbiyi produces seem to be directed straight to the 'keeper. Why does Junior Lewis hardly ever have a shot on goal?

To be fair to City they were continually doged by some very strange refereeing decisions but that is no excuse. With City being one of the only things to give the likes of Bradford, Coventry, Man City, Derby and of course 'Boro a chance at staying in the Premiership Taylor would be well warned to take plenty of notes. City could be following in the footsteps of some of these teams next season.

Teams:

Leicester City: Royce, Impey, Guppy, Sinclair, Rowett, Taggart, Lewis, Savage, Delaney, Akinbiyi, Sturridge.
Subs: Flowers, Marshall, Davidson, Gunnlaugsson, Benjamin.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Gavin, Gordon, Ehiogh, Okon, Cooper, Karembeu, Ince, Windass, Boksic, Ricard.
Subs: Crossley, Stamp, Mustoe, Whelan, Marinelli.