Stand-in skipper Paddy Kisnorbo has put the Foxes' resurgence under caretaker manager Nigel Worthington down to good, old-fashioned hard work.

City's 1-0 win at Barnsley on Saturday mathematically secured the club's Championship status for another season after a nervy few weeks.

And the Australian international was delighted to have finally swapped the jeers for cheers.

"It has been a difficult spell for everyone connected with the club but it is a big relief to have finally secured the points we need to be safe," he said.

"We were in a situation that none of us wanted to be in but with the help of the new gaffer and his assistant Doug we have managed to dig ourselves out of this mess.

"Hard work, belief and confidence have been the key. We have been working hard on certain aspects of our game on the training ground and it has paid off on the pitch.

"For once we have been getting that little bit of luck and taking our opportunities when they have come along."

Neil Austin's own goal handed City all three points at Oakwell and Kisnorbo believed it was no less than the visitors deserved - their second successive win on the road following the 1-0 victory at Preston the previous weekend.

"We came here with the belief that we could pick up the three points and fortunately we got our rewards," added Kisnorbo.

"Our destiny was in our hands and we didn't want to have to rely on other results. We had to do the job and take the game to Barnsley.

"We did just that and as a club we can finally look forward to next season."

Kisnorbo was also quick to heap praise on the Blue Army, who again descended upon Oakwell in their masses.

"They were fantastic once again and were louder than the home fans!

"They have helped the team immensely this season and I'd personally like to thanks them for their efforts.

"Even when things were not going well, they turned out to support us.

"We can all now begin preparing for next season - this club should be in the Premier League and hopefully, with the new chairman on board, we can go along way to achieving that."

City's final game of the season is against Midlands rivals Wolves at the Walkers Stadium next Sunday (1pm) and Kisnorbo wants his side to go out on the crest of a wave.

"We want the three points and want to produce that same intensity that we have done in the last few matches.

"Our aim will be to make it three out of three and end the season on a high note."