This was an extraordinary game of fluctuating fortunes.
There were two goalkeeping blunders, a missed penalty, a Leicester recovery and an amazing Middlesbrough fightback and an own goal.
There was no doubt Middlesbrough got out of jail with their two-goal rescue act when all seemed lost.
Thousands of their fans had made their way to the Exit signs after Leicester had deservedly run up a 3-1 lead.
Leicester looked to have achieved a rare away win until Boro scored in the 90th minute and then snatched a dramatic own goal equaliser in injury time.
City manager Micky Adams must have been bitterly disappointed not to collect three points that would have given them hope of Premiership survival.
Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren must have been mightily relieved over a point when all seemed lost.
Before the game a minute's silence was impeccably observed in memory of former Middlesbrough chairman Mick McCullagh, who died in hospital with a brain tumour aged 67.
McCullagh had a three-year spell in charge of his hometown club during the 1980's when Middlesbrough faced a financial crisis.
Brazilian star Juninho took advantage of an early by Leicester goalkeeper Ian Walker.
An attempted Walker clearance struck Joseph-Desire Job to give Juninho a chance to burst through and shoot into the right-hand corner.
There was no pressure at the time and Walker must have been bitterly disappointed over his lapse.
Leicester hit back and threatened an equaliser before the break.
A goal nearly arrived when goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer left an unguarded net.
The Australian international was caught in no-man's land when he could not get to the ball through a crowd of players, but a header from Nikos Dabizas landed on the roof of the net.
Middlesbrough were awarded a penalty just before the interval when Dabizas brought down Job.
The Cameroon international picked himself up off the deck but failed from the penalty spot. His low shot lacked power and Walker easily got across to his left to save.
Then four minutes after the break Leicester were level through Paul Dickov.
Middlesbrough had 11 players in the penalty area for a right-wing corner by Steve Guppy. Dickov, however, scrambled the ball over the line at the near post.
The goal gave Leicester a tremendous boost and the hard-working visitors surged forward after more goals.
Middlesbrough had lost the momentum and Leicester were full value for the lead after 65 minutes.
Dickov was again on the spot to score from three yards following a Guppy free-kick and a Riccardo Scimeca header.
Leciester increased their lead after 75 minutes with a blunder by goalkeeper Schwarzer.
The big Aussie has been in outstanding form this season, but he made a rare mistake to gift a goal to Marcus Bent.
There was no danger when Schwarzer brought down a Danny Mills back pass with his right foot. The ball slipped away from Schwarzer and Bent shot into the empty net.
Leicester have struggled on their travels this season, but at that stage of the game three points were in their sights against an ineffective home side.
Middlesbrough pulled a goal back in the 90th minute through substitute Massimo Maccarone when he slipped the ball past Walker.
In the match programme, Maccarone had confirmed he wants to stay at Middlesbrough and establish a future in the Premier League.
The former Italian under-21 international is unhappy over stories suggesting that he wants to return to Italy to regain form and confidence.
Even when two minutes of stoppage time were signalled from the touchline there did not appear to be a great chance of Middlesbrough getting out of jail.
However, when substitute Gaizka Mendieta crossed on the right, John Curtis had the misfortune to put the ball into his own net.
A shell shocked Micky Adams said: "We have gone from heroes to zeros in the last minute. We are scared to win games now. We just don't know how to see these games through.
"That game was won. There were a lot of experienced players out there, but we did not see it through.
"We were accused earlier in the week of not being able to pass the ball, but we passed the ball well this time. We came back well after an early setback.
"We should be halfway up the table, but play like that will get us relegated."MAN OF THE MATCH - Leicester City striker Paul Dickov scored a brace in today's encounter at the Riverside to earn his side a share of the spoils.