The gloom hanging over Filbert Street after reports that manager Martin O'Neill was close to quitting Leicester City barely lifted despite a late equaliser from Matt Elliott rescuing a point against Wimbledon.
O'Neill is said to be on the verge of walking out on The Foxes because of a deteriorating working relationship with the club's chief executive, Barry Pierpoint.
And hopes of a much-needed tonic on the playing side in the form of three points were dispelled in an encounter which seldom moved into top gear.
Wimbledon midfielder Robbie Earle looked to have settled the issue when he stole in unmarked to convert a 75th minute free-kick from Alan Kimble.
It looked like a typical hit-andrun raid by Joe Kinnear's side who, despite playing three up front, had posed little in the way of an attacking threat for most of the 90 minutes.
But then up popped Elliott four minutes from time to head a leftwing centre from Gerry Taggart past Neil Sullivan via a post - and deny the Dons second spot in the table.
Leicester dominated territorially for long periods, particularly in the first half, with Muzzy Izzet impressive in midfield. But their need to find a 20-goals-a-season striker. They huffed and puffed but after two top-10 finishes, the alarm bells will be ringing in the Leicester camp about facing a relegation battle unless they find a cutting edge and improve on a record of two points from their last five games.
Leicester: Keller, Sinclair, Ullathorne (Kaamark 70), Elliott, Taggart, Izzet, Lennon, Savage, Guppy, Cottee (Wilson 76), Heskey. Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Parker, Zagorakis. Goals: Elliott (86 mins).
Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Kimble, Perry, Thatcher, Earle (Ardley 85 mins), Ekoku (Cort 49 mins), Roberts, Gayle, Hughes, Euell. Subs Not Used: Heald, Kennedy, Francis. Booked: Gayle, Kimble. Goals: Earle (74 mins).
Referee: A Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).
