A loss would have sent us into the bottom three and increased the pressure. A win keeps us four points above the drop zone and gives a vital boost in confidence in a season where we have yet again struggled to hang onto leads.
Leicester will of course be devastated to miss out on all three points after having had the best of the chances, but their lack of confidence in goal was there for all to see, perhaps best summed up by the shocking miss by Fryatt at the death.
All the more reason to praise what was one of the best pieces of business of the season in getting in Stern John as part of the Jones deal, with yesterday's winner another crucial goal. He is now only a goal behind Kevin Phillips at the top of the goalscoring charts and has proved the doubters wrong with a highly impressive run.
We are of course by no means safe, but are at least more hopeful that we can get the required points to put this season to bed after an encouraging start to Nigel Pearson's reign. The win has resulted in our longest run of games undefeated this season.
Play-off contenders Hull will represent a stern test away from home, but after three games undefeated away from home, Saints are made of sterner stuff these days.