A cracking strike from Steen Nedergaard on 33 minutes and a last-minute effort from Adam Drury gave Norwich a 2-0 victory against Coventry at Carrow Road.

After half an hour of almost constant pressure on the visitors' goal, Nigel Worthington's men finally made the breakthrough - and the goal from Nedergaard was certainly worth waiting for.

The Danish defender picked up the ball in midfield and then curled a fantastic right-footed shot into the top corner, leaving Morten Hyldgaard completely helpless.

Drury wrapped up the points when he slotted home from close range after good work from substitute Paul McVeigh.

David Healy had the first real chances of the game, failing to trouble Hyldgaard with a weak effort before the Coventry goalkeeper had to act smartly to cut out a cross by the same player.

The home side were asking all the questions in the opening period, and it was no surprise when they went ahead just after the half-hour.

The Sky Blues tried to hit back immediately, and Malky Mackay had to act smartly to clear a cross from Andrew Whing with danger looming.

Healy then failed to trouble Hyldgaard with a right-foot volley from distance, the goalkeeper making an easy catch, before Coventry player-manager Gary McAllister drilled a free-kick right into the defensive wall from a good position.

Coventry's Gary Caldwell had his side's best chance of the first half just before the break, but Robert Green produced a good save to keep his side in front.

Norwich started the second period in much the same way they dominated the first, and Calum Davenport had to clear from corner situations on three separate occasions within three minutes of the restart.

Coventry tried to change things by bringing on Youssef Safri for Richie Partridge, and John Eustace came close to finding the target with a left-footed drive shortly after.

Eustace also forced a decent stop from Green on the hour mark after a Safri corner, before McAllister showed there was plenty of fight left in the visitors, making Green tip over a 20-yarder.

Dean Holdsworth forced Green into two further saves as time ticked by, and Eustace headed weakly over in the dying seconds to sum up his side's afternoon, before Drury wrapped up the points with his late, late strike.

Teams

Norwich: Green, Nedergaard, Mackay, Bromby, Drury, Rivers (Sinclair 89), Russell, Holt, Easton, Healy (McVeigh 86), Abbey.

Subs Not Used: Kenton, Roberts, Crichton.

Booked: Drury, Healy.

Goals: Nedergaard 33, Drury 90.

Coventry: Hyldgaard, Whing (Pead 58), Shaw, Davenport, Caldwell, Partridge (Safri 51), McAllister, Eustace, Chippo, Holdsworth, Joachim.

Subs Not Used: Jansen, McSheffrey, Montgomery.

Booked: Eustace.

Att: 20,099

Ref: G Barber (Hertfordshire).