“I don’t think at any point this season the players doubted themselves.”

Those were the words of victorious Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson following his side’s last-gasp win over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

The relegation-threatened Foxes conceded first after just eight minutes, Baggies captain Darren Fletcher heading home his first goal for the club since joining from Manchester United in February.

David Nugent stabbed the ball home to level the scores, only for Leicester to again fall behind minutes later when Craig Gardner’s deflected effort found the back of the net.

But the visitors came out stronger after the break and once again drew level when Robert Huth nodded home before Jamie Vardy scored an injury-time winner.

“The players have never lost that belief despite all the setbacks we’ve had this season,” said Pearson.

“It would be easy to accept our situation, because we have been bottom since November.

“But the longer we keep our fate in our own hands, the better.”

For West Brom it is now back-to-back home defeats to relegation rivals following the 4-1 loss to Queens Park Rangers last time out.

And with his side just seven points off safety, Tony Pulis knows there is still work to do if they are to remain in the top flight.

“Were we ever out of it?” said Pulis when asked if his side were in still in a battle to avoid the drop. “We need the points as I said all along.”