Norwich produced a second-half masterclass to move closer to Coca-Cola Championship safety and inflict only Barnsley's second home defeat of the season.

Martin Devaney scored a spectacular 18th-minute opener to put the Tykes ahead at the break, but Glenn Roeder's men were a side transformed after the restart.

Goals from on-loan Manchester City striker Ched Evans, midfielder Mark Fotheringham and veteran forward Dion Dublin sealed an impressive win and extended the Canaries' unbeaten run to nine games.

Last week's miserable 1-1 FA Cup home draw against League Two side Bury hinted at Norwich's shortcomings, and Barnsley exposed those failings in the opening period.

Simon Davey's men, whose previous home defeat came on the opening day of the season, were aiming to reignite their play-off hopes after failing to win any of their previous six Championship games.

They threatened to score within the opening 20 seconds when powerhouse striker Kayode Odejayi almost barged his way through.

Three minutes later, Barnsley winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce struck a vicious shot which flew inches over the visitors' crossbar.

Kayode Odejayi, who has struggled to win support among Barnsley fans, then rifled wide from distance after Norwich defender Gary Doherty failed to cut out a long punt forward.

Campbell-Ryce, whose pace caused Norwich problems down their left flank, whipped in a teasing delivery in the 15th minute which Odejayi failed to connect with on the edge of the six-yard box.

Norwich did not heed the warning signs and three minutes later Devaney was afforded far too much room to cut in from the left flank and fired a low 25-yard shot into the bottom corner.

Canaries goalkeeper David Marshall got a hand to the ball but he could not prevent it from nestling in the back of the net.

The goal served to inject some urgency into Norwich's play and on-loan forward Evans was a menace.

In the 24th minute, he forced Barnsley goalkeeper Heinz Muller into a smart stop with a low shot from 18 yards and then Fotheringham headed Lee Croft's right-wing cross wide moments later.

Evans, who made a surprise return to Norwich on an emergency loan on Thursday, almost raced clear from a Croft pass but Dennis Souza's excellent last-ditch tackle halted his progress.

Norwich hit back strongly after the break and were level within minutes of the restart.

Fotheringham, a driving force in the centre of midfield, slipped a neat pass into Evans' path and the teenager did the rest with a low left-foot finish from 10 yards.

The Canaries began to dominate and with 20 minutes remaining they edged ahead, albeit in fortuitous fashion as Fotheringham's ambitious shot from 25 yards was deflected past Muller by Tykes defender Stephen Foster.

Better was to come from the visitors four minutes later as 38-year-old Dublin rose highest to head home a left-wing corner from Fotheringham.

Norwich further opportunities to add to their tally but they were spurned, though it did not matter as the visiting supporters were left to toast victory.

Teams:

Barnsley Muller, Hassell, Foster, Souza, Van Homoet,Campbell-Ryce (Leon 73), McCann, Howard, Devaney (Ferenczi 79),Mostto (Coulson 67), Odejayi.

Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Togwell.

Booked: Foster.

Goals: Devaney 18.

Norwich Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Shackell, Bertrand,Croft (Huckerby 72), Fotheringham, Camara, Russell,Dublin (Ryan Jarvis 90), Evans (Cureton 79).

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Cave-Brown.

Booked: Camara, Dublin.

Goals: Evans 48, Fotheringham 70, Dublin 74.

Att: 10,117

Ref: Paul Armstrong (Berkshire).