(Football news) Jamie Vardy came off the bench to break his scoring drought as he helped his team earn a 1-1 draw with a very crucial late equaliser in their bid to stay up. Leeds were on the verge of much-needed three points in their quest for safety from relegation. Luis Sinisterra gave the Yorkshire team a brilliant start in the 20th-minute header after Youri Tielemans had a goal ruled out for offside.

Vardy came in as a substitute in the 70th minute as he fired past Illan Meslier from James Maddison’s pass to rescue his side from losing two crucial points. It was subsequently his first goal in the Premier League since October and the striker thought he had given Leicester an unlikely victory but his goal was ruled out for offside. In stoppage time Leicester’s second choice keeper Daniel Iversen made two brilliant saves to keep out Marc Roca’s header and Patrick Bamford scuffed shot far away from his goal.

The result did little for Leicester as they still remained in 17th place with 29 points which is one point ahead of Everton who could move above them if they avoid defeat against an in form Newcastle United. Leeds on the other hand moved to 30 points and are in 16th place. Vardy is a club legend whose goals helped Leicester to a fairytale Premier League title in 2016 but this season he had not scored in any competition since a Carabao Cup game in December.

But new manager Dean Smith in his press conference said that Vardy is back to his best and sent him on in a must win match as he drilled a low shot into the corner after a brilliant move led by Maddison who played him in. Defeat would have been very harsh on Leicester, who were denied an early lead when Tielemans scored early but VAR deemed Boubacary Soumare slightly offside in the build-up.

There was a nervous energy around Leeds fans as they had suffered three successive defeats, but Sinisterra helped calm down the nerves when he headed the ball into the net. Javi Gracia’s strategy was a bit off as he was content on trying to hang on to their slender advantage in the game but in the second half Leicester City came out with a bit more intensity as they finally got their much deserved breakthrough. For Leeds they still have tougher tests in Manchester City and Newcastle in their last five games.

“It could be massive. We have five cup finals left. We’ll enjoy the point tonight, then get back in and recover,” Vardy said. “I can’t say what I want to say on TV because I’ll get done, but it’s been a weird season for me. Hopefully the goals keep coming.”

“We try to put the past behind us, learn from our mistakes and continue on in a positive way,” Harrison said. “We’re looking for every point we can get in this moment in time. It’s not what we wanted but we will take it.”

Also read: Injury ridden Real Madrid lose 4-2 against Girona away from home