Norwich hit Leicester with two goals in the space of five second-half minutes to ensure a losing start for former boss Nigel Worthington on his return to management in the Coca-Cola Championship clash at the Walkers Stadium.

Robert Earnshaw's penalty and an own goal by Foxes defender Gareth McAuley usurped the lead given to Leicester by Darren Kenton's first minute opener.

Kenton got Worthington's temporary reign off to a dream start with a goal after just 40 seconds against his former club.

Worthington, sacked as Norwich boss in October after almost six years at the helm, was appointed caretaker manager for Leicester's remaining five matches of the season on Wednesday following chairman Milan Mandaric's decision to axe Rob Kelly.

And it was a man who Worthington allowed to leave Carrow Road on a free transfer in 2003 that gave his new side the lead.

Kenton, who began his career at Norwich as a trainee in 1996 and made almost 150 appearances for the club before Worthington let him leave for Southampton, fired an angled drive across Tony Warner into the far corner.

Shaun Newton's low cross found Matty Fryatt but it looked like the chance had gone when Fryatt's control was heavy.

However, the ball broke perfectly into Kenton's path who hit the shot first time.

Earnshaw's 69th-minute appearance as a substitute for Michael Spillane marked his return from a four-month lay-off with a torn groin muscle by hauling Norwich level just five minutes after his introduction.

Foxes defender Patrick Kisnorbo was harshly adjudged to have handled Darren Huckerby's cross and the Wales international made no mistake from the spot for his 18th goal of the season.

Huckerby proved to be Leicester's tormentor again in the 78th minute when his corner was headed into his own net by McAuley at the near post.

Norwich offered little in the early stages but a surging run and shot from Huckerby forced Conrad Logan into a full-stretch save to tip the ball wide midway through the first half.

Iain Hume wasted a glorious opportunity to help put Leicester two goals to the good before the half-hour mark when he turned Jurgen Colin inside-out on the left wing.

The Canadian opted for glory and shot wide when he selfishly tried to beat Warner at his near post.

Chris Martin missed Norwich's best chance to equalise when, after neat build up play down the right from Colin and Croft, his low shot from eight yards hit the side-netting.

Leicester substitute Richard Stearman, a 37th-minute replacement for Kenton, hit a low drive into the crowded penalty area early in the second half.

Fryatt connected sweetly from eight yards out but his shot was straight at Warner who managed to repel it with his legs.

Norwich rediscovered some momentum and Huckerby felt he should have been awarded at least a penalty after he was wrestled to the ground inside the box by Patrick Kisnorbo at the end of a long chase with the Australian defender.

Dickson Etuhu stung Logan's palms with a shot from the edge of the area before Norwich finally made the breakthrough through Earnshaw and McAuley's own goal.

Teams

Leicester Logan, Kenton (Stearman 38), McAuley (Mattock 78),Kisnorbo, Johansson, Newton, Jarrett, Wesolowski, Porter, Hume,Fryatt (Horsfield 65).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Hammond.

Booked: McAuley.

Goals: Kenton 1.

Norwich Warner, Colin, Shackell, Dublin, Drury (Eagle 2),Croft (Renton 90), Hughes, Spillane (Earnshaw 70), Etuhu,Huckerby, Martin.

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Cave-Brown.

Booked: Eagle.

Goals: Earnshaw 74 pen, McAuley 78 og.

Att: 21,483

Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).