HEROIC Burnley earned a magnificent win at Leicester thanks to Andy Gray's first half strike.
The Clarets leading scorer reached double figures for the season with his first goal in four games in the 23rd minute.
And the managerless Clarets, who suffered further injuries to Stephen Jordan and John Spicer, held onto that lead with a display oozing character and determination.
It had been a week of turmoil, with Steve Cotterill leaving the club after three-and a half years in charge.
But caretaker manager Steve Davis deservedly got his wish to dedicate a result to Cotterill as the Clarets won their fourth win in five attempts at the Walkers Stadium.
As expected, Jon Harley came in at left back to allow Stephen Jordan to revert to centre back in place of suspended David Unsworth.
With skipper Steven Caldwell out injured that meant the Clarets defence was down to the bare bones.
Elsewhere, it was as you were following Tuesday night's defeat by Hull City, which accelerated Steve Cotterill's departure from Turf Moor.
The Clarets did have form on their side at the Walkers Stadium, where following three wins in four attempts, the hosts had yet to register a single goal.
And Burnley started well, with Wade Elliott racing 50 yards and seeing his near post cross hacked for a corner with Andy Gray lurking.
Clarke Carlisle then turned the resulting flag kick just wide of goal.
As Burnley's sweet passing continued, a delicious reverse ball from Blake almost put Gray clear, only for the striker's first touch to give Martin Fulop the chance to intervene.
And Harley's low cross form the left moments later only needed the faintest of touches to put the Clarets ahead.
However, midway through the half the breakthrough deservedly arrived. McCann might have scored from Blake's wicked free kick, but his point-blank header forced a magnificent save from Fulop on his line.
However, Leicester could only half clear and when Elliott advanced from the right and slid Gray through, the result was never in doubt and the Clarets hitman found the bottom corner with an unerring drive.
Gabor Kiraly had been a virtual spectator, and he easily held onto Matty Fryatt's ambitious 25-yard drive on the half hour.
Stephen Jordan's troublesome ankle injury flared up again eight minutes before half time.
The worry as that yet another central defender would be taken out of the fray and sure enough, the former Manchester City defender was replaced five minutes before the break by Alan Mahon.
The reshuffle saw McCann drop back to emergency centre back, but this was a major setback for the already injury-ravaged Clarets.
The priority was now to get to the break at half time and regroup. And they achieved that comfortably.
City made three quick substitutions after the break, all tactical as they sought a way back. But it was 65 minutes before Kiraly was forced into action again, saving comfortable from Gareth McAuley's snapshot.
However, the hosts were now beginning to force Burnley backwards. And the visitors' cause was not helped when John Spicer, who had been magnificent in midfield, limped off with a knee injury 20 minutes from time to be replaced by James O'Connor.
And the Clarets could have sealed it 15 minutes from time when Blake slide in Lafferty, whose weak shot was comfortable for Fulop.
That was the Irish striker's last touch as former Foxes striker Ade Akinbiyi was given a run out.
But it was City who were turning the screw, albeit without seriously testing the Clarets goalkeeper.
And the scenes at the final whistle brought a traumatic week to a fitting conclusion as Burnley players and staff embraced each other on the pitch.0
Leicester: Fulop, Kisnorbo, N'Gotty (Hume 61), McAuley, Clemence, Cort (John 56), Campbell, Fryatt, Stearman, Mattock, Kenton (Wesolowski 56).
Subs: Henderson, Chambers.
Campbell 22
Burnley: Kiraly, Alexander, Jordan (Mahon 40), Carlisle, Harley, Elliott, McCann, Spicer (J O'Connor 70), Lafferty (Akinbiyi 76), Gray, Blake.
Subs: Jensen, Jones
Booked: Spicer 16, Lafferty 44, Elliott 58, Mahon 62, Alexander 64
Ref: C Penton
Att: 21,334
