Steven Fletcher was denied at point-blank range by Kasper Schmeichel in the first half, while Matty James came closest to breaking the deadlock after the break.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during a hard-fought 90 minutes in the Midlands.

LEICESTER CITY

Goal

Kasper Schmeichel: Made a great save to deny Fletcher in the first half and tipped a difficult-looking shot from Johnson around the post. Dealt well with everything that came into his box and was a calming presence for his back four. (7/10)

Defence

Ritchie De Laet: Forced back as he tried to deal with the threat of Wickham on his flank. Was not able to get forward too much, but made a number of good blocks and challenges. (6/10)

Wes Morgan: Solid performance at the back from the captain. Made some key interceptions and rarely allowed Fletcher to get in behind him. (7/10)

Marcin Wasilewski: Another of the Leicester backline to have a decent game. He was powerful in the air and helped his side to clear a number of dangerous set pieces from the visitors. (7/10)

Paul Konchesky: The full-back produced a dependable display on his return to the lineup. He used the ball well and was rarely beaten down his side of the pitch. (6/10)

Midfield

Riyad Mahrez: Probably the best player on the pitch. The Algerian always looked to pose a threat and delivered a number of dangerous crosses. Had a couple of decent efforts on goal in the first half, but could not make as strong an impact after the break. (7/10)

Jeff Schlupp: Looked a threat down the wing and showed plenty of pace. He had a powerful effort saved by the keeper, before he was replaced by Knockaert late on. (6/10)

Matty James: Had the two best chances of the game, but could not find a way past the keeper. He showed plenty of spirit and tried to drive his team on to a precious win. (7/10)

Esteban Cambiasso: The Argentine had a decent game and battled strongly in the heart of the midfield. However, in the second half, he gave away possession cheaply on a couple of occasions and seemed to tire. (6/10)

Attack

Jamie Vardy: Was not given much service, but put the Sunderland defence under a great deal of pressure. Got in behind following a mistake by Brown in the first half and worried the back four throughout. (6/10)

Leonardo Ulloa: Just like his strike partner, Ulloa was not given too many opportunities to impress. He managed to hold the ball up well, but was unable to manage a decent chance on goal. (6/10)

Substitutes

Chris Wood: Was only on for the last two minutes and did not have any time to make an impact. (6/10)

David Nugent: Hardly had a touch of the ball after coming on for Vardy. (6/10)

Anthony Knockaert: Another of the Leicester substitutes who struggled to make an impact. (6/10)

SUNDERLAND:

Goal

Costel Pantilimon: Had to be alert to deny James twice in the second half. Rushed off his line quickly to clear when Brown allowed Vardy to run through, and looked strong from set pieces. (7/10)

Defence

Santiago Vergini: Had a difficult start to the match against the lively Schlupp. He gradually won his battle with the Leicester player and looked solid as his team held on to their clean sheet. (6/10)

Wes Brown: Made a huge mistake in the opening minutes that nearly cost his team. His poor control allowed Vardy in behind and his keeper had to rush out to deny the striker. He looked nervous from that moment. (5/10)

John O'Shea: Solid outing from the Irishman. He was a rock at the back and made sure that the visitors rarely got in behind. Was good in the air and tough in the tackle. (7/10)

Anthony Reveillere: Found it tough to play against the tricky Mahrez. He was beaten down his flank on a few occasions and never really got to grips with the winger. (6/10)

Midfield

Lee Cattermole: Combative performance as ever from the midfielder. Broke up play well, but was lucky to stay on the pitch following a crunching tackle on Cambiasso. (6/10)

Jordi Gomez: Struggled to get into the match and did not enjoy his best afternoon. He was poor from set pieces and was replaced by Buckley in the closing stages. (6/10)

Sebastian Larsson: The Swede was another Sunderland midfielder that was fortunate to stay on the pitch after avoiding a second booking for a certain foul. As with Gomez, his deliveries from set pieces were not great and he was taken off for Bridcutt 15 minutes from the end. (6/10)

Attack

Connor Wickham: Looked busy throughout, but failed to provide a cutting edge in attack. He got away with a poor back pass in the first half that his keeper had to sprint off his line to clear. (6/10)

Adam Johnson: One of Sunderland's more dangerous players. The winger had a decent shot tipped wide by Schmeichel in the first half. He did not see as much of the ball after the break as the game petered towards a draw. (6/10)

Steven Fletcher: Had a great chance to score in the first half, but was denied at point-blank range. Did not see too much of the ball and was well dealt with by the Foxes defence. (6/10)

Substitutes

Liam Bridcutt: Came on for Larsson and helped to shore up the midfield. (6/10)

Will Buckley: Was only on for the last four minutes and had little impact. (6/10)