Jamie Cureton, given his first start in the Championship since New Year's Day, secured Norwich a deserved victory over Barnsley with a first-half strike.

The hosts, who have now lost just once in their last 15 league games, also handed a debut to Alex Pearce, who joined the club on loan from Reading in January.

Barnsley were looking to maintain their momentum after a superb victory over Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Anfield but it was not to be.

Both sides made a cautious start but it was the home side who carved out the first opportunity only for Ched Evans to send his header wide from a Ryan Bertrand cross when well placed after 12 minutes.

Norwich continued to push in search of the opening goal, Lee Croft sending a long-range effort wide just a couple of minutes later.

But the home side were indebted to goalkeeper David Marshall for keeping them on level terms as he made a superb save to keep out Brian Howard's fiercely-struck shot after 17 minutes.

Barnsley had another chance to open their account seven minutes later but, from Bobby Hassell's free-kick, Anderson de Silva sent his header the wrong side of the post.

Those missed opportunities proved costly as Norwich grabbed the lead after 26 minutes.

Croft's cross found stand-in skipper Cureton, and he maintained his composure to steer the ball past Barnsley keeper Luke Steele for his first goal in nine games.

The visitors were forced into a change just six minutes before the interval, with the injured De Silva replaced by Marciano Van Homoet.

Norwich missed a chance to double their advantage shortly after the restart when Evans got on the end of Darren Huckerby's corner but he sent a close-range header over the crossbar.

The home side were then left to curse their luck after 58 minutes when Evan let fly from 18 yards only to see his shot rattle the woodwork.

Barnsley made a double substitute in an effort to get back into the game with Kayode Odejayi and Jon Macken coming on for Diego Leon and Daniel Nardiello respectively.

But it was Norwich who continued to enjoy the better of the early second-half exchanges with the impressive Cureton firing just wide on the hour mark.

Barnsley, though, were also creating chances and it took an excellent save from Marshall to keep out an effort from Macken shortly afterwards.

Istvan Ferenczi twice tried his luck from distance for Barnsley in the final 10 minutes but the Norwich defence held firm.

And it was Norwich who almost had the final say only for Steele to somehow keep out Croft's shot in injury time.

Teams:

Norwich Marshall, Otsemobor, Pearce, Doherty, Bertrand, Croft, Gibbs, Pattison (Velasco 90), Huckerby, Cureton, Evans (Henry 81).

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Shackell, Eagle.

Goals: Cureton 26.

Barnsley Steele, Hassell, Foster, Souza, Kozluk, Devaney, De Silva (Van Homoet 39), Leon (Odejayi 58), Howard, Nardiello (Macken 58), Ferenczi.

Subs Not Used: Nyatanga, Campbell-Ryce.

Booked: Souza.

Att: 24,197

Ref: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).