Leicester City suffered their second heavy defeat in the space of just four days as Bristol City comfortably added to City manager Nigel Pearson's recent woes.

Two stunning first-half goals from Ivan Sproule and Cole Skuse put the Robins on their way.

Evander Sno made sure of the points in the second half before substitute Matty Fryatt added a late consolation.

After the drubbing at Nottingham Forest, none of his side could have complained if Pearson had made 11 changes but he made just four and gave the rest the chance to make amends for the debacle.

Michael Morrison and Ryan McGivern replaced full-backs Robbie Neilson and Bruno Berner, who endured a torrid time at the City Ground, while Paul Gallagher stepped in for Yann Kermorgant and partnered Martyn Waghorn in attack.

Pearson kept faith with captain Matt Oakley, who made his 400th career league appearance, Richie Wellens and Andy King. The big surprise was the absence of top-scorer Fryatt, who dropped to the bench, as Dany N'Guessan was given his first start on the left flank since the 2-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Fryatt's exclusion sent out a clear message that no-one's place in the team was guaranteed.

Although Saturday was a massive disappointment, City fans should still see the bigger picture and the side's return of 31 points from 19 games is still their best return at Championship level since the 2002-03 season, and that ended in promotion.

When looking to bounce back from a demoralising defeat, City could not have asked for better than to face a side who had not won a game in Leicester since 1915 and had not tasted victory in their last five league fixtures.

Leicester had won five and drawn two of their last seven meetings with the Robins, who had failed to score in any of those encounters.

What you do not need is the opposition to produce two goal-of-the-season contenders in the first half and for the officials to show no interest in two fairly decent penalty appeals.

City actually started quite brightly with Waghorn and Gallagher forcing the Robins defence to scramble away two dangerous crosses in the opening minutes.

However, the visitors created the first real goal-scoring opportunity in the 14th minute when Danny Haynes played in Nicky Maynard far too easily behind the City defence and only a well-timed intervention from Weale against his former club denied Maynard his 11th goal of the season.

Then, five minutes later, City's vulnerability to sheer pace was exposed again when Sproule was able to pick up the ball 25 yards out, turn and beat three or four City defenders before slipping his shot beneath Weale.

It was a great piece of skill from a Bristol perspective but more shocking defending from City's point of view.

City tried to respond and N'Guessan flashed an attempt just wide of the far post.

But the hosts were struggling to find any rhythm as an attacking force and their plight became more precarious in the 29th minute when Brown's attempted defensive header cannoned off Maynard and Skuse lashed home a superb strike into the top corner from 30 yards out to stun the Blue Army into silence.

To make matters worse, City had two loud appeals for penalties rejected as Waghorn went down under a challenge from Robins keeper Dean Gerken and then N'Guessan claimed his cross had been handled by Jamie McAllister.

On Saturday, Pearson made two changes in the first half but this time he sent out the same side for the second half.

They were almost three goals behind immediately as Sno played in Sproule but Weale had read the danger.

City continued to toil in the second half and the supporters in the meagre crowd of 19,349 began to vent their frustration.

There were even chants of "Pearson, sort it out."

The City boss responded and sent on Fryatt, who did provide a spark in attack.

City found some attacking verve and a third penalty appeal, this time for handball, was waved away.

But, as City players chased referee Steve Cook to protest, Bristol broke quickly and Sno killed off City's resistance with the third goal.

Morrison was booked for continuing the protest.

As if it could not have got worse, Waghorn was then shown a straight red card for a late challenge on McAllister.

He was also carried off as he did himself some damage in the challenge.

The City fans started to depart with more than 10 minutes remaining.

They missed the one bright moment for the hosts when Fryatt found space behind the Robins' defence to score his 11th goal of the season.