Leicester’s hopes of securing automatic promotion back to the Premier League suffered another setback as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Plymouth on Friday.

Mustapha Bundu’s well-executed finish secured Plymouth their first home victory since January, lifting them five points clear of the relegation zone and providing a significant boost in their fight against the drop.

Leicester appeared poised to make a swift return to the Premier League after their relegation last season, boasting an impressive record of 13 wins from their first 14 league matches this campaign.

However, their fortunes have taken a turn for the worse in the latter stages of the season.

Enzo Maresca’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Millwall earlier in the week and have managed just two wins in their last six games, denting their promotion aspirations.

Despite still occupying the top spot in the table, Leicester find themselves level on points with Ipswich, only ahead on goal difference, and just one point ahead of third-placed Leeds United.

The former Premier League champions risk losing their grip on automatic promotion should Leeds and Ipswich secure positive results in their respective fixtures against Blackburn and Middlesbrough on Saturday.

In contrast, Plymouth’s resurgence under interim manager Neil Dewsnip continues, with the Pilgrims now undefeated in three games.

The victory propels them to 16th in the table, providing a significant morale boost as they seek to secure their survival in the league.