Clement fired home the spot-kick after Leicester skipper Matt Elliott was harshly adjudged by referee Clive Wilkes to have brought down Andy Johnson after he burst into the area.

It followed on from the Baggies win over Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light in the previous round and piled on more misery for relegation-threatened Leicester who now only have survival to fight for.

Now Gary Megson, who lives in the same village as City manager Dave Bassett, will relish his side’s chances against anyone in the last 16, particularly with a home draw.

Leicester were without nine first team players and were harassed out of their stride in the opening 20 minutes with Albion wing-back Clement threatening down the left flank.

The visitors gradually got a grip in the middle of the park and then the trio of Muzzy Izzet, Stefan Oakes and Matthew Jones bossed proceedings for long periods.

But once again Leicester were unable to find the finishing touch and Albion, for whom Darren Moore was the pick of a solid defence, stuck to their task and came back strongly in the final 20 minutes.

Andy Johnson was impressive in midfield as Megson’s side showed why they are looking a good bet to gain promotion.

The first worthwhile opportunity fell to the home side after nine minutes when a cross from Neil Clement picked out Danny Dichio but he sent his looping header just over Ian Walker’s bar.

There was plenty of endeavour but precious little quality football in the opening quarter but a measured pass from Izzet almost picked out Trevor Benjamin.

Benjamin, brought back from loan spell at Crystal Palace because of City’s injury crisis, took the ball into his stride but Albion’s former Leicester keeper Russell Hoult was out quickly to snuff out the danger.

Clement was then only just off target with a curling free-kick from the edge of the Leicester penalty area but it was the visitors who came close to taking the lead in the 32nd minute.

A long, curling pass from youngster Jordan Stewart put Ade Akinbiyi clear of the Albion defence and he dinked the ball past the advancing Hoult towards an unguarded net.

But Phil Gilchrist was alert to the danger and raced back to hook the ball off the line.

Goalmouth action was at a premium but in the 42nd minute Ian Walker, who had passed a late fitness test on a back problem, kept Leicester on level terms with his only save of the opening 45 minutes.

Moore made a powerful 50-yard break before releasing Dichio. But Walker spread himself at the feet of the former Sunderland player and blocked his eventual shot.

Leicester showed more urgency at the start of the second period and it needed a superb save by Hoult to deny Marshall the opening goal.

Oakes’ left wing cross fell to Marshall just outside the area and his perfectly struck volley seemed destined for the top corner.

But Hoult, who spent eight seasons at Filbert Street, leapt to finger-tip his effort over the bar.

It was now virtual one-day traffic towards the Albion goal and Hoult was relieved when a low Izzet shot bounced up off Moore into his hands.

But in an Albion breakaway raid, substitute Scott Dobie was only just off target with a lob over Walker after Andy Johnson had played the ball through to him.

Ruel Fox then shot wide from only six yards out after Johnson had spotted his run into the area.

It looked as if Albion’s chance had gone but then came that penalty award which sent the majority of the 26,000 wild with delight.