Robbie Keane's first senior hat-trick helped condemn managerless Leicester to a third-round Worthington Cup exit as Leeds hammered six at Filbert Street.

Eirik Bakke, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell also got their names on a lengthy scoresheet as sorry City, with Garry Parker temporarily at the helm, capitulated all too easily in front of their own fans.

The Foxes board are reportedly close to appointing Dave Bassett as Peter Taylor's replacement, and the club's fans will be hoping that football management's answer to Red Adair is installed sooner rather than later.

The tone was set as early as the twelfth minute as Keane deflected a Bakke header past Ian Walker from close range.

And the same two players combined four minutes later, as the Norwegian headed Ian Harte's cross into the path of Irishman Keane, who doubled his side's lead at the second time of asking.

The visitors lined up for shooting practice, and Olivier Dacourt went close from long range before Keane turned provider, sending Bakke clear with a back-heel to plunder a third after 39 minutes.

Soon after the break it was clear that Parker hadn't managed to muster the words to rouse his charges, and Keane's all-round excellence was rewarded on 53 minutes, as he reacted smartly after Viduka's shot was blocked to snaffle his hat-trick.

With the Foxes fans voicing their displeasure, their side fell even further behind four minutes later as Aussie striker Viduka, without a goal since August, bent a delightful fifth past Walker via the underside of the bar.

Viduka's fellow Socceroo Kewell got in on the act seven minutes later, and with the match won, David O'Leary took the chance to give Alan Smith his first taste of senior action since damaging an ankle.

The Filbert Street faithful found the heart to applaud both teams at the end, but, though they can cope with a Worthington Cup defeat, they will know that if their team continues to play like this, the club's Premiership status will surely be under threat.

Leicester: Walker, Rowett, Sinclair, Elliott, Savage, Piper, Wise (Impey 62), Jones, Izzet, Scowcroft,
Sturridge (Davidson 45).
Subs Not Used: Royce, Gunnlaugsson, Benjamin.
Booked: Savage.

Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Woodgate, Ferdinand (Duberry 69), Harte, Bowyer, Bakke (McPhail 60), Dacourt, Kewell, Keane (Smith 57), Viduka.
Subs Not Used: Kelly, Robinson.
Booked: Dacourt, Duberry.

Att: 16,316
Ref: G Poll (Tring)