Captain Gary Doherty's sending off proved the turning point for Norwich as manager Bryan Gunn lost his unbeaten record in the defeat to Bristol City at Carrow Road.

Robins defender Bradley Orr coolly converted from the spot in first-half stoppage time after centre-back Doherty had been dismissed for a crude challenge on Dele Adebola in the penalty area.

The dismissal proved decisive as the Canaries were unable to regain a foothold in the game and the Robins held on for their fourth consecutive Coca-Cola Championship victory.

Cole Skuse had opened the scoring for the visitors in the 14th minute when he was finely positioned to apply a comfortable finish to Nicky Maynard's incisive pull-back from the right wing.

But, against the run of play, the game was all square in the 23rd minute as defender Jonathan Grounds hit home from close range after Carl Cort's header had come back off the post.

The Robins had the better of the opening period and centre-back Louis Carey came close to opening the scoring 10 minutes in but his header came back off the crossbar.

The visitors recalled nine-goal top scorer Maynard into their starting XI after he missed the Robins last two games with a dead leg and he was at the centre of the action as his side took the lead.

Following a period of intense pressure, Maynard spun his marker and darted toward the right-side byline before delivering a precise cut-back for Skuse to slot home from 12 yards.

The Canaries made one change from the side which claimed a battling 3-3 draw with league leaders Wolves in midweek as Wes Hoolahan came in for Ryan Bertrand, who failed to overcome an ankle injury he suffered at Molineux.

Against the run of play, Norwich found themselves back in the game when Cort's header came crashing back off the post after Sammy Clingan's tantalising delivery but Grounds was there to follow up and tap in.

The Robins should have regained the lead almost immediately but Maynard somehow conspired to miss the target with his header from four yards out a minute later.

Gunn will have been less than impressed with his side's defending in the first half as they struggled to deal with Maynard and Adebola in every attack.

It was a defensive error that led to the next goal as goalkeeper David Marshall's poor clearance fell straight to Adebola but as he darted forward, Canaries centre-back Doherty scythed him down and referee Andy D'Urso had little hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Captain Doherty was immediately dismissed for his challenge and Orr converted the resulting spot-kick.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the home side started the second half in positive fashion as Lee Croft attempted to inspire his side with several darting runs forward.

The visitors were still retaining the lion's share of possession but it was the Canaries who were now carving out the more meaningful attacks as Hoolahan's long-range drive was spilled by keeper Adriano Basso and scrambled to safety by his defenders.

Canaries midfielder Croft was also growing in stature but his crosses rarely found isolated lone striker Cort as Gunn's side paid the price for being reduced to 10 men.

Less than two minutes before the full-time whistle the Robins should have wrapped up all three points when substitute Ivan Sproule opened up the Canaries back-line with a crafty one-two with Gavin Williams, but his following shot missed the target.

Teams:

Norwich Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Grounds, Drury, Croft (Gow 85), Clingan, Russell, Hoolahan, Cureton (Fotheringham 46), Cort (Killen 74).

Subs Not Used: Nelson, Carney.

Sent Off: Doherty (44).

Goals: Grounds 24.

Bristol City Basso, Orr, Fontaine, Carey, McAllister (Iriekpen 82), Johnson, Skuse (Sproule 31),Williams, McIndoe, Maynard, Adebola (John 77).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Styvar.

Goals: Skuse 14, Orr 45 pen.

Att: 24,691

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).