Dean Ashton's first-half penalty was enough to earn Norwich a priceless victory over 10-man Birmingham to keep alive their hopes of staying in the Barclays Premiership.

The Canaries are now out of the relegation zone for the first time since January after Southampton's late equaliser at Crystal Palace, and have their fate in their own hands heading into next Sunday's all-or-nothing trip to Fulham.

It was tense stuff from start to finish at Carrow Road, where Damien Johnson was sent off after 30 minutes before Ashton's spot-kick in first-half injury time proved enough to keep the dream alive - despite the hosts soaking up immense pressure from the Blues, who twice hit the bar through substitute Clinton Morrison late on.

The first decent chance of the match fell to the visitors when Walter Pandiani sent a 15-yard snap-shot straight at Robert Green after the home defence had failed to clear after five minutes.

A brilliant bit of skill from Ashton, flicking the ball up and over Kenny Cunningham, sent the Norwich striker racing into the penalty area - only to then get too much weight on his next touch, allowing Maik Taylor to collect.

In the 11th minute, though, Birmingham were inches away from going ahead.

Mario Melchiot weaved his way past full-back Adam Drury on the right goal-line and cut the ball back to the penalty spot, where Pandiani sent a looping effort up over Green, but off the top of the crossbar.

Ashton then charged down the left channel, and sent a decent ball back across goal from the by-line, which David Bentley connected with, but could not direct on target.

Stan Lazaridis, who been playing at left-back, was replaced by Stephen Clemence on 21 minutes and Jamie Clapham reverted to the defence.

After 30 minutes, the visitors were down to 10 men.

Thomas Helveg lost possession on the Norwich right, and then tussled with Johnson, holding the Birmingham midfielder's right arm.

The 26-year-old, however, then needlessly punched the full-back with his free hand - giving the referee little option but to show him a straight red card.

Norwich immediately looked to make their advantage count, but could have found themselves behind had Emile Heskey's far-post header not dropped just wide.

And it was the visitors who continued to press as the first half drew to a close, with the Canaries unable to settle and guilty of some loose passing.

Right on the stroke of half-time, however, Norwich were awarded a penalty when Cunningham was adjudged to have brought down Huckerby on the left side of the six-yard box.

Cunningham was booked, before Ashton coolly converted the spot-kick for his fifth goal in six games.

At the start of the second half, McKenzie skipped away down the right channel, and cut the ball back for Ashton in the centre, but the in-form striker completely missed his kick.

Substitute Morrison was then booked for handball as he stupidly diverted a cross from the right off the head of Heskey on the six-yard line.

At the other end, Ashton's low, angled shot from the left was beaten away by Taylor.

As the hour approached, neither team could really get a grip on possession, both needlessly giving the ball away when in promising positions.

Jermaine Pennant became the next Blues player to be shown a yellow card for protesting after he was correctly penalised for tugging McKenzie's shirt in the centre-circle.

To their credit, the visitors continued to press as Norwich looked nervy in and round their own penalty area.

Norwich were anything but composed as the final 20 minutes of their last home game of the season approached, the players perhaps sensing the importance of a positive result.

Stephen Clemence was then the fifth visitor cautioned for tripping Huckerby some 25 yards from goal. Bentley sent the free-kick over the wall, but Taylor was well placed to comfortably save.

Simon Charlton replaced Drury at left-back with 18 minutes to go, but that move did little to alleviate the pressure on the home side, who continued to sit back.

Robbie Blake came on for Cunningham in the 78th minute as Blues boss Steve Bruce, who used to play for the Canaries, went looking for the equaliser.

Huckerby fired over following a strong run to the edge of the penalty area, before Taylor pulled off a great reaction block to deny McKenzie from point-blank range with 10 minutes left.

Blake skied his effort from six yards after the ball came back to him at the far post following Simon Charlton's mistake.

Morrison then hit the crossbar twice, with a looping shot on the turn and then a bullet header as Norwich somehow held on for three precious points.

Teams

Norwich Green, Helveg, Fleming, Shackell, Drury (Charlton 72), Bentley, Safri (Holt 63), Francis, Huckerby, McKenzie (Svensson 86), Ashton.

Subs Not Used: Jonson, Lewis.

Booked: McKenzie.

Goals: Ashton 45 pen.

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham (Blake 78), Upson, Clapham, Pennant, Johnson, Nafti, Lazaridis (Clemence 19), Heskey, Pandiani (Morrison 45).

Subs Not Used: Martin Taylor, Vaesen.

Sent Off: Johnson (31).

Booked: Nafti, Cunningham, Morrison, Pennant, Clemence.

Att: 25,477

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).