Norwich midfielder Paul McVeigh netted in the second half to score the only goal of the game and condemn Leicester to defeat at the Walkers Stadium.

A fifth successive victory for the Canaries meant the Foxes' winless streak was extended into a sixth game with under-pressure manager Craig Levein's side having picked up just just two points from a possible 18 during December.

It had been Foxes midfielder Joey Gudjonsson who was first to chance his arm with a long-range effort which was screwed embarrassingly wide of target before the Icelander was booked in the 11th minute following a high-footed challenge which left McVeigh writhing.

Ten minutes later and it was Norwich on the front foot though as Darren Huckerby sprayed a 40-yard pass from the left wing for McVeigh but the midfielder's control let him down at the crucial moment and Leicester goalkeeper Robert Douglas seized his chance to intervene.

At the other end, Gareth Williams' spectacular left-foot volley fizzed marginally wide and moments later Ryan Smith squandered a golden opportunity to open the scoring after stabbing the ball wide of target from less than six yards out.

Douglas saved from Huckerby late in the half and Mark De Vries saw a header splash down on the roof of the Norwich net moments before referee Tony Leake called a halt to proceedings.

Both sides emerged unchanged for the start of the second period which opened with Iain Hume driving at the heart of the Norwich defence only for the Canada international to be stopped by central defender Gary Doherty ahead of the Foxes striker again being frustrated by the same player moments later.

Next it was Williams' turn to threaten once more but his cross-shot, fired from an acute angle, was palmed to safety by Robert Green.

And the Carrow Road shotstopper was thankful to see another powerful effort from Gudjonsson fly a whisker wide of the woodwork shortly afterwards.

The visitors responded through McVeigh who burst from a congested midfield as the hour-mark approached but overran his dribble which allowed Dion Dublin to steal possession on the edge of the Foxes penalty area.

But Gudjonsson then went close again with a fierce and bending effort from 25 yards before team-mate Momo Sylla picked up a yellow card following a 68th-minute collision with Youssef Safri.

Huckerby was adjudged to have dived for a penalty in the 70th minute when the Norwich winger went down under a penalty box challenge from Paddy McCarthy, although the Lancashire official stopped short of brandishing a yellow card at the Canaries player who had already been cautioned in the first half.

Moments later though and the East Anglian contingent were celebrating after Dickson Etuhu's cute throughball set McVeigh clear on goal with Douglas comprehensively beaten from 18 yards in the 71st minute.

And the margin of victory could have been greater had Dean Ashton hit the back of the net rather than the crossbar after Huckerby superbly crafted an opening in the 90th minute.

Teams

Leicester Douglas, Stearman, McCarthy, Dublin, Maybury, Sylla (Hammond 73), Gudjonsson (Hughes 80), Williams, Smith (Hamill 89), Hume, de Vries.

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Johansson.

Booked: Gudjonsson, Sylla, Smith, Stearman.

Norwich Green, Colin (Rossi Jarvis 85), Fleming, Doherty, Drury, McVeigh, Safri, Charlton, Etuhu, Ashton, Huckerby.

Subs Not Used: Thorne, Brennan, Ward, Henderson.

Booked: Huckerby.

Goals: McVeigh 71.

Att: 21,072

Ref: T Leake (Lancashire).