Darren Huckerby scored a late equaliser to earn Norwich a battling 1-1 draw
with Nationwide Division One promotion rivals West Ham at Carrow Road.
Huckerby capitalised on a poor Tomas Repka clearance to cancel out Marlon
Harewood's stunning opening goal for the Hammers.
West Ham finished the game with 10 men after Matthew Etherington was sent off
three minutes from time for a second bookable offence.
Despite the draw, Norwich saw their lead cut to three points after West Brom
beat Sheffield United 2-1 at Bramall Lane.
Before kick-off former Norwich manager and West Ham defender Ken Brown - the
last boss to steer the Canaries into the top-flight in 1986 - opened the Norfolk
club's new £8million South Stand.
West Ham, who have not won at Carrow Road since 1973, tried to ruin the party
as they came out of the blocks the quickest.
Alan Pardew's side, unbeaten in their last 10 games on the road, could have
twice taken the lead within three minutes.
First Bobby Zamora, a former Norwich trainee, saw his close-range effort
parried by goalkeeper Robert Green.
After the hosts failed to clear their lines, Jon Harley - on loan from Fulham
- drilled in a shot which flashed just wide.
Norwich, who have lost just three of their last 26 league games, made a good
response though, and Canada international Jim Brennan forced visiting goalkeeper
Stephen Bywater into a decent stop.
Veteran striker Iwan Roberts then put a header wide from Paul McVeigh's cross
and Brennan saw another shot spilled, but then grabbed by Bywater as Norwich
recovered from the visitor's early onslaught.
Back came West Ham and David Connolly, with one goal in five games, headed
Harley's cross over the bar while at the other end Darren Huckerby struck a
fierce shot which failed to hit the target.
McVeigh had an early chance to put Norwich ahead after the break, but his
header was well saved by Bywater before the dangerous Huckerby fired wide.
West Ham, though, took the lead in the 61st minute with a stunning strike from
Harewood. The former Nottingham Forest striker picked up the ball 20 yards out
and unleashed a shot which flew into the top corner.
But Norwich hauled themselves level 14 minutes from time when a poor clearance
from Tomas Repka allowed Huckerby to beat Bywater to the ball, before rounding
the young keeper and tucking the ball home for his eighth of the season.
Etherington was sent off towards the end but the two sides settled for a
point.
Teams:
Norwich: Green, Edworthy, Mackay, Fleming, Drury, McVeigh,
Francis, Holt, Brennan, Roberts (Svensson 65), Huckerby.
Subs Not Used: Crichton, McKenzie, Mulryne, Henderson.
Goals: Huckerby 76.
West Ham: Bywater, Mullins, Repka, Dailly, Harley, Harewood,
Carrick, Reo-Coker, Etherington, Zamora (Deane 90),
Connolly (Nowland 73).
Subs Not Used: Srnicek, Melville, McAnuff.
Sent Off: Etherington (87).
Booked: Etherington, Dailly.
Goals: Harewood 61.
Att: 23,940
Ref: R Olivier (Sutton Coldfield).
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