Leicester kicked off the season with victory over Watford and they closed 2002 by completing the double to regain the promotion initiative which had stalled 48 hours earlier on their own ground.
It was a hard-earned success after early opportunities to take charge of the game had been passed up, and there were moments near the end when their goal bore a charmed life.
Watford, under pressure to keep in contact with the top six, threw everything at a wall of blue shirts, with Andy Impey particularly to the fore in key situations.
They competed throughout and may well feel unlucky not to have claimed a point. But overall, Leicester's greater quality just about did justice to the scoreline.
Leicester, who conceded two goals in the last six minutes to lose to Ipswich Town on Boxing Day, could, and probably should, have been two up in the opening six minutes here.
First a wayward back pass from Watford defender Wayne Brown was cut off by leading scorer Paul Dickov, who dragged his shot wide of Watford's far post. Then James Scowcroft took advantage of more defensive hesitancy to stride through the same inside right channel only to scuff his effort. But with Tommy Smith making inroads, Watford began to develop a threat.
Smith swerved one shot a foot over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty box and drove a difficult chance too high as Ian Walker came off his line quickly when Heidar Helguson played Smith in.
Their reward was the lead on the half hour. Jermaine Pennant left Alan Rogers trailing along the right flank and crossed perfectly for Helguson to get in front of Matt Elliott and score from close range.
However the lead lasted barely five minutes. Paolo Vernazza miskicked when Muzzy Izzet's corner came over and when the ball came loose Elliott squeezed his shot inside the near post.
Brian Deane wasted another chance for City from a Dickov centre, but it was Watford who went closest to going inahead at half-time, Helguson jumping with Walker and the ball bouncing on top of the crossbar and over.
Not for the first time, Impey delivered an important interception for Leicester, this one a diving header from a swinging cross by Pennant, whose delivery from the flank was causing problems for City.
Elliott cleared another shot from the 19-year-old, who is on loan from Arsenal, and with Watford showing signs of gaining the upper hand, Adams rejigged his midfield. Callum Davidson replaced Billy McKinlay and Jordan Stewart made way for Nicky Summerbee.
Against the run of play, Leicester went ahead from another Izzet corner, headed in at the far post by Deane, scorer of both his team's goals when they beat Watford on the opening day of the season.
The response was a header, well wide, by Helguson, closely followed by an opportunity for Leicester to give themselves breathing space. Impey's cross and Deane's challenge let in Dickov whose close-range shot was blocked by Alec Chamberlain - a fine save by the veteran keeper but one which Dickov should not have allowed him to make.
