Jonatan Johansson and Darren Huckerby proved yet again that there is life after Dean Ashton at Carrow Road by netting the goals in Norwich's win against Derby.

On-loan striker Johansson scored his second goal in five games in the 26th minute, and Huckerby doubled the Canaries' advantage eight minutes from time in this Coca-Cola Championship match.

The win boosts Nigel Worthington's slim hope of making a late rally for the play-offs - while defeat for Derby compounds their relegation worries.

Norwich captain Craig Fleming recovered from a slight groin injury to take his place at right-back.

Rams striker Mounir El Hamdaoui missed the match with a groin strain sustained in the midweek draw at Leicester. But Danny Graham was fit after a dead leg, and Inigo Idiakez returned from a two-game suspension.

Neither side was able to dominate the opening quarter, with both restricted to long-range shots.

Norwich striker Robert Earnshaw was off target in the sixth minute with an ambitious attempt from 25 yards - and the lively Graham was equally as profligate three minutes later, shooting over the bar from 25 yards.

The Canaries gradually gained the upper hand and deservedly took the lead in the 26th minute thanks to Johansson.

Peter Thorne headed an Earnshaw cross into danger, and the on-loan Charlton striker neatly struck past goalkeeper Lee Camp from inside the box.

Derby rallied but were able to muster efforts only from distance - which defenders Zeshan Rehman and Fleming comfortably blocked.

Norwich were forced into a 33rd-minute substitution when the injured Andy Hughes was replaced by Carl Robinson.

Derby then gained the initiative and continued to dominate possession and territory at the start of the second half - but it was Norwich who were the more threatening in front of goal.

Thorne had a shot at goal in the 47th minute, and a Gary Doherty header five minutes later forced Day to tip the ball away for a subsequently innocuous corner.

Derby again tried their luck from distance but were off target, this time Tommy Smith the culprit with a 25-yard effort.

Norwich regained some control in midfield, and Huckerby could have extended the home side's lead in the 63rd minute when he missed the target from inside the box.

Huckerby atoned for his error in the 83rd minute, however, with an impressive shot after good work by Paul McVeigh.

Teams:

Norwich Green, Fleming, Rehman, Doherty, Drury,Johansson (McVeigh 74), Safri, Hughes (Robinson 34), Huckerby,Thorne (McKenzie 77), Earnshaw.

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Colin.

Booked: Thorne, Safri.

Goals: Johansson 26, Huckerby 83.

Derby Camp, Edworthy, Moore, Hajto, Kenna, Smith, Idiakez,Holmes (Peschisolido 71), Bolder, Barnes, Graham.

Subs Not Used: Poole, Bisgaard, Doyle, Nyatanga.

Booked: Smith.

Att: 24,921

Ref: A Hall (W Midlands).