A superb late fightback gave Norwich City a precious relegation point at Bramall Lane and dented Sheffield United's play-off hopes.

Norwich appeared to be heading for defeat with 18 minutes to go after goals from Graham Stuart and Vas Borbokis, but Craig Bellamy began the comeback by racing onto Neale Fenn's flick to score his 11th goal of the season.

That sparked Norwich into life and six minutes later they were level. Teenager Chris Llewellyn cut in from the right and unleashed a superb 20-yard shot into the top corner past the despairing dive of Alan Kelly.

Indeed, Llewellyn could have won the game for the Canaries soon afterwards, but he saw another rasping drive tipped over by the United keeper.

The Blades had stamped their authority on the game after Iwan Roberts saw his header superbly saved by Alan Kelly in the early stages.

Gareth Taylor should have given United the lead, but blazed over with the goal at his mercy.

However, in the 28th minute Steve Thompson's side broke the deadlock. Norwich's Craig Fleming and Erik Fuglestad both failed to clear the ball, before Taylor teed up Stuart to volley into an empty net.

Five minutes later Bellamy conceded a needless freekick on the edge of the Canaries' box and Greek international Borbokis gave Andy Marshall no chance with a beautiful 25-yard shot.

On the stroke of half-time Taylor, who had an indifferent game and was later substituted, should have put the game beyond Norwich's reach, but he failed to convert Borbokis' superb cross.

After the break there appeared to be no signs of United's collapse as Stuart, substitute Traianos Dellas and Paul Devlin all went close to stretching their lead.

Dellas, who came on for Ian Hamilton, saw his piledriver parried by Marshall, while Wayne Quinn and David Holdsworth also tested Marshall.

But Norwich, who last won away from home in mid-December, showed true fighting qualities to earn what could be a vital point in their fight against relegation.

Teams

Sheff Utd: Kelly, Borbokis, Nilsen, Quinn, Sandford, Holdsworth, Saunders, Hamilton (Dellas 56), Taylor (Devlin 50), Ford, Stuart.

Subs Not Used: Marcello.

Goals: Stuart 28, Borbokis 33.

Norwich: Marshall, Sutch, Fuglestad, Eadie, Fleming, Jackson, Adams, Bellamy, Roberts, Fenn, Llewellyn.

Subs Not Used: Polston, Carey, Scott.

Goals: Bellamy 72, Llewellyn 78.

Att: 16,915

Ref: K M Lynch (Knaresborough).