Norwich were under pressure to perform after previous results had seen them as point above the drop after sixteen games. Through Huckerby and Ashton they did just that in the early exchanges, with the former and future Premiership strikers forcing Alexander to show his continued form early on. City looked to have weathered the storm and Whitley twice tested Green from outside the box. Joe Ledley then rippled the top of Green's net with an ambitious, left-footed shot.

Cardiff were forced into making a change within a minute of the second half with Alan Lee replacing the under the weather Michael Ricketts. Another good chance for the Canaries then followed, as Huckerby found Jarrett inside the penalty area. He laid the ball back to Ashton, whose shot was deflected wide by Purse - the City skipper having a great game at the heart of the Bluebirds rearguard.

With the hour mark approaching City opened up the Canaries defence as Whitley put Jerome clean through down the right. The striker's first touch was good, but Jerome saw his shot flash inches wide of the upright. Cameron was starting to make an impact on the game and, if he had kept his footing as he chased after Lee's flick-on, he may well have added to his haul.

With less than twenty minutes chances came for Ashton and McVeigh, but both strikes however well made were blasted narrowly over the crossbar. The Canaries' mini-spell of pressure paid off on 76 minutes when they broke the deadlock courtesy of a crazy goal. Davenport flicked Jim Brennan's cross towards the goal. It beat Alexander, but Purse raced back to clear off the line. However, the Bluebirds skipper watched in horror as his clearance hit Alexander's back and then rolled over the City line.

A half-chance came Koumas' way in the dying seconds after the Canaries could only half-clear a free-kick, but the midfielder's shot was way off-target.

Norwich City: Green, Drury, Huckerby, Jarrett, Ashton, Safri (Brennan 46), Hughes (McVeigh 8), Henderson, Colin (Fleming 83), Davenport, Doherty. Subs not used: Ward, Thorne.

Cardiff City: Alexander, Barker, Whitley, Purse, Koumas, Jerome, Weston (Ardley 89), Loovens, Ledley, Cooper (Parry 82), Ricketts (Lee 46). Subs not used: Margetson, Cox, Ardley, Lee.