Damien Francis gave Norwich a priceless shot at Premiership survival with a dramatic 85th-minute strike to sink unlucky West Brom at Carrow Road.

Francis fired home from the edge of a crowded box to shunt the Canaries to within two points of fourth-bottom Crystal Palace after twice fighting back from behind.

Bryan Robson's Albion had always looked the better bet to steal the points with Robert Earnshaw and Kieran Richardson twice bringing them within touching distance of such a valuable victory.

But Nigel Worthington's men showed true fighting spirit to fight back through Craig Fleming and Gary Doherty before Francis' last-gasp strike sparked jubilation amongst the home supporters.

With such a huge prize at stake the action was never going to be pretty but it produced a breathless and roaring affair which showcased each sides' tremendous desire to retain their top-flight status.

And the tension clearly got to both keepers, whose first-half blunders merely set up the storming second half which was to follow.

Albion had marginally the better of the tight opening stages with Earnshaw's early strike well held by Robert Green in the Norwich goal.

Norwich's record signing Dean Ashton saw his header tipped over by Russell Hoult as the breathless affair swung from end to end.

The dangerous Zoltan Gera almost created an eighth-minute chance out of nothing for Albion with a quick through-ball which might have let in Campbell.

Ashton shot wide for the Canaries and Earnshaw fluffed a chance at the other end with a terrible first touch.

The impressive Campbell created the best early chance for the visitors in the 21st minute with a backheel which sent defender Darren Purse on a rare foray into the box. However Purse's neat cross just eluded Earnshaw who was stretching to stab it home from point-blank range on the far post.

Norwich reacted immediately through Darren Huckerby's dangerous cross from the Norwich left which found the head of Ashton but the former Crewe man headed well over.

And another Huckerby cross caused more panic in the Albion box a minute later with Riccardo Scimeca's deflected back-header flashing dangerously into the side-netting.

Albion began to gain control after the half-hour and were left baffled by their failure to score from either of two glorious chances in the 35th minute.

After home debutant Graham Stuart lost possession in his own half, Richardson played in Earnshaw whose powerful rising shot clattered the underside of the crossbar.

And moments later Greening's follow-up also rattled the woodwork as City clung on for the time being.

But Nigel Worthington's men fell behind in the 40th minute when Green's dreadful goal-kick fell to a quick-thinking Greening who immediately played Earnshaw in to slide the opener under the keeper.

But Albion were to blow their hard-won advantage in first-half injury time when Stuart's corner from the right was headed goalwards by Craig Fleming and Albion keeper Hoult let the ball slip through his hands and over the line.

With a draw not good enough for either side the second half always promised to be a tumultuous affair.

And again the Baggies started better, taking just three minutes to regain their lead when Earnshaw sprung the City offside trap to race clear onto Campbell's perfect through-ball.

Earnshaw's unselfish ball across goal was met by a stretching Richardson, who bundled the ball home at the second attempt at the far post.

Albion were well on top at that point with Doherty forced into some last-ditch defending to prevent another great chance for Earnshaw.

Norwich finally rallied in the 58th minute with a long-range effort by Ashton which was well held by Hoult.

And four minutes later the home side were level again when Doherty glanced home Huckerby's deep left-wing cross.

Campbell shot straight at keeper Green and Greening also saw a good shot saved as the match barged into its final stages.

Albion looked by far the more likely winners with City's defence repeatedly making a hash of attempting to clear their lines.

Then Francis struck in the 85th minute with his left-foot drive from the edge of the box to inflict the cruellest of blows on Albion and hand his side the lifeline they had sought so desperately.

Teams:

Norwich: Green, Edworthy, Doherty, Fleming, Charlton (Brennan 45), Stuart (McVeigh 68), Holt, Francis, Huckerby, McKenzie, Ashton.

Subs Not Used: Jonson, Gallacher, Safri.

Goals: Fleming 45, Doherty 62, Francis 85.

West Brom: Hoult, Scimeca, Purse, Clement, Robinson, Gera, Wallwork, Greening (Horsfield 89), Richardson, Campbell, Earnshaw.

Subs Not Used: Gaardsoe, Chaplow, Kanu, Kuszczak.

Booked: Scimeca, Robinson, Greening.

Goals: Earnshaw 41, Richardson 49.

Att: 24,292

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).