Norwich moved out of the Coca-Cola Championship relegation zone after David Mooney's second-half strike gave them a vital victory over fellow strugglers Plymouth.

The Canaries dominated from start to finish and eight minutes after the break Gary Doherty headed across goal where Mooney was on hand to nod in his second goal in a week.

It was no more than Norwich deserved as Jason Shackell twice went close and Alan Gow wasted a good chance before Mooney's decisive strike.

Plymouth rarely threatened but Rory Fallon missed a gilt-edged chance to equalise as they continued their slide towards the bottom three.

The result saw Norwich move two points clear of the drop zone and just a point behind Plymouth.

Norwich boss Bryan Gunn kept faith with the same side that earned a superb 2-0 win over Cardiff on Tuesday night.

Paul Sturrock made three changes to the Plymouth team that lost to Swansea in midweek as Craig Cathcart, Chris Barker and Paul Gallagher all came in.

The home side started brightly and Wes Hoolahan had two shots blocked before Sammy Clingan saw a shot from 20 yards comfortably saved by Romain Larrieu.

Minutes later Plymouth failed to clear their lines and Hoolahan turned the ball into the box but Shackell could only flick the ball just over the bar.

Norwich were dominating and should have been in front when Hoolahan played in Gow who rolled his shot past Larrieu and just wide of the post.

Shackell came close to giving the Canaries a deserved lead when he met Clingan's corner but his header went just wide.

Plymouth did improve slightly before the break and Paul Gallagher had a free-kick blocked before Gray dragged a shot wide.

The visitors continued where they left off and began the second half brightly with Jamie Mackie testing Marshall with a shot from 25 yards.

However, Norwich went in front with 53 minutes gone when Clingan's corner found Doherty at the far post and he nodded into the path of Mooney to score.

Doherty almost doubled the lead minutes later but he headed over from Clingan's cross before Gow shook off his marker but fired wide.

Just after the hour mark Jon Otsemobor embarked on an impressive run and beat a series of challenges before firing wide.

Plymouth should have made Norwich pay for their profligacy when Chris Barker's cross fell to Fallon but he stabbed wide from close range.

The visitors pressed for an equaliser but were unable to find a way through as Norwich held on for what could prove a decisive three points in the battle against the drop.

The afternoon was soured somewhat though for the Canaries when Darel Russell was red-carded for a second bookable offence.

Teams:

Norwich Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Doherty, Bertrand, Croft (Leijer 90), Clingan, Russell, Hoolahan (Carney 46), Gow (McDonald 84), Mooney.

Subs Not Used: Nelson, Lappin.

Sent Off: Russell (90).

Booked: Doherty, Mooney, Russell.

Goals: Mooney 53.

Plymouth Larrieu, Gray, Seip, Cathcart, Barker (Paterson 70), Judge (Noone 85), Duguid, Fletcher, Mackie, Gallagher, Barnes (Fallon 61).

Subs Not Used: Timar, Clark.

Booked: Seip.

Att: 25,064

Ref: Fred Graham (Essex).