Iain Hume's 10th goal of the season helped moved Leicester City a step nearer to safety as they picked up a priceless 1-0 victory over Barnsley at Oakwell on Saturday afternoon.
The Canadian international pounced in the 73rd minute to ensure his side a vital three points with just two games now to play this term.
The Foxes rode their luck at times with the home side twice hitting the woodwork - once in either half - while Paul Henderson made a couple of important saves.
But despite some late Barnsley pressure, City's backline stood firm and it as the visitors who were celebrating at the final whistle.
The Foxes were the first to carve open a shot inside two minutes when David Bell cut in from the right before teeing up Matt Oakley, but the midfielder's side-footed effort flew harmlessly wide of Luke Steele's left-hand upright.
A timely tackle from the returning Gareth McAuley thwarted Daniel Nardiello on eight minutes before Steve Howard just failed to connect with Richard Stearman's teasing cross from the right.
A neat passage of football from the visitors resulted in Iain Hume's cross proving just too strong for Howard and James Wesolowski on 18 minutes then at the other end, Nardiello shot high and wide from 20-yards.
Howard was at it again in the 20th minute when he headed wide from skipper Patrick Kisnorbo's free-kick on half-way.
The Foxes came close to opening the scoring on 26 minutes when he capitalised on Lee Hendrie's long ball forward, but his header was blocked by the advancing Steele, who proceeded to clear his lines.
Martin Delaney's shot was deflected behind for a corner then on the half-hour Bell's shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Lewin Nyatanga.
Rob Kozluk was booked for a late lunge on Hendrie on 31 minutes before Diego Leon shot wide three minutes later.
Hume headed narrowly wide at the back post from Bell's cross in the 37th minute then Kozluk fired well wide on 41 minutes.
The Foxes were handed a let off a minute later when Devaney's shot ricocheted back off the post with Paul Henderson beaten.
Injured Hendrie then made way for Barry Hayles on 42 minutes.
Hayles was immediately cautioned for a foul on Kozluk as it remained goalless at half-time.
City were handed an almighty let-off at the start of the second period when Stearman failed to deal with a high ball into the box, but with only Henderson to beat Leon drilled his shot against the woodwork much to the visitors' relief.
Henderson pulled off a fine save to deny Nardiello on 50 minutes then Hayles shot wide a minute later after Bell's ball had bobbled in the box.
Another timely tackle from McAuley thwarted Nardiello on the hour before Steele smothered Stearman's low cross at the other end.
Kisnorbo shot over from Steele's punch on 66 minutes then was in the thick of the action in defence as he blocked Nardiello's effort.
Nardiello then made way for Kayode Odejayi in the 68th minute.
Devaney curled his effort narrowly wide on 70 minutes after Odejayi had dispossessed Jamie Clapham.
However, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 73rd minute when Hayles turned inside the area before laying off to Hume, who slid the ball home from close range for the opener much to the travelling fans' delight.
The hosts made their second change on 80 minutes with Jamal Campbell-Ryce replacing Devaney.
Bruno N'Gotty came on for Hume in the 84th minute and Michael Coulson replaced Bobby Hassell a minute later.
Stephen Foster shot inches wide three minutes from time before Leon put his free-kick over the bar on 89 minutes.
In injury time DJ Campbell replaced Bell but the Foxes had done enough to secure a massive three points.
City: Henderson, Stearman, McAuley, Kisnorbo ©, Clapham, Bell (Campbell 90), Wesolowski, Oakley, Hendrie (Hayles 42), Hume (N'Gotty 84), Howard. Subs not used: Alnwick, Laczko.
Barnsley: Steele, Hassell (Coulson 85), Howard ©, Macken, Nyatanga, Foster, Kozluk, Souza, Nardiello (Odejayi 68), Devaney (Campbell-Ryce 80), Leon. Subs not used: Letheren, Ferenczi.
Yellow Cards:
City: Hayles (43)
Barnsley: Kozluk (31)
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Attendance: 14, 644
