His penalty hero Schmeichel

match with Mahrez beginning to pull the strings in midfield.

Even so it seemed to be drifting towards a draw until Hughton brought on sub March.

The winger immediately weaved his way into the box and set up Jose Izquierdo, who was brought down by Ndidi.

Crucially, however, Schmeichel saved Murray’s tame spot-kick and Leicester took advantage.

They went ahead after 82 minutes when Ben Chillwell’s chipped cross from the left was expertly headed downwards into the net by Iborra.

Ndidi was sent off for a second bookable offence after 87 minutes – he was furious with the referee Chris Kavanagh.

Replays seemed to show he made no contact with Brighton defender Shane Duffy – despite the Irishman’s spectacular fall.

Puel said: “For me when I watch the replay it isn’t a foul because he doesn’t touch the player. It’s harsh.”

Leicester sealed victory in stoppage time when Demarai Gray crossed low for Vardy to tap home his 18th of the season.

Not the best way for Brighton to mark their 100th home game in the top flight. ■■Jamie Vardy has scored in five of Leicester’s last six away league games, with the other game in that run ending 0-0. ■■Vicente Iborra has scored in back-to-back Premier League games, after netting in just one of his first 14 in the competition. ■■38% of Iborra’s goals in the big five European leagues have been headers (12/32). ■■Kasper Schmeichel has saved three of the 14 Premier League penalties he’s faced – the same number his father Peter saved during his time in the competition (21 faced).