Promotion-chasing Bolton recovered from the shock of staying two goals down in the first five minutes to grab what could turn out to be a crucial point at gale-lashed Carrow Road.

Two quick goals from Iwan Roberts left the visitors with a mountain to climb but they never let their heads drop and second half strikes from Neil Cox (47 minutes) and Per Frandsen (74) helped them move five points clear of seventh placed Watford in the scramble for the playoffs.

Bruce Rioch's Norwich side, now without a home win in 11 home games, look certain to end that unwanted record as they made a rip-roaring start against the side he used to manage with such distinction.

The Canaries took just two minutes to break the deadlock as they moved in front with their first attack of the match.

Paul Dalglish curled in a delightful cross from the left flank and Roberts climbed above two Bolton defenders to plant a firm header past Steve Banks from close range.

The same pairing teamed up again three minutes later to extend the home side's lead as Bolton continued to look all at sea in the driving wind and rain.

This time Lee Marshall slid the ball through to Dalglish who unselfishly squared the ball for the unmarked Roberts.

Banks got a hand to the big striker's fiercely struck shot from eight yards but could not prevent it spinning over the line for his 21st goal of the season.

It was a dismal start from Colin Todd's side after having put their promotion challenge back on track with two successive victories, but they gradually began to work their way back into the game and should have reduced the arrears on 21 minutes when Bob Taylor somehow contrived to hit the upright after rounding keeper Andy Marshall.

But Bolton shrugged off that setback to reduce the arrears three minutes into the second half.

Cox was allowed time and space to set himself up on the edge of the area before beating Marshall with a low shot which slipped under his body on the greasy surface.

From then on it was all Bolton and Frandsen wasted one glorious chance to level the scores before finally putting Bolton back on level terms in the 74th minute.

The goal was set up by Michael Johansen, who'd also provided the telling pass for Cox's goal. On this occasion he slipped the ball through for his Danish compatriot to slip the ball under the body of the advancing Marshall to level the scores.

To their credit Norwich, who last won at home on December 19, bravely fought back in the closing stages and both substitutes Craig Bellamy and defender Malky Mackay went close to giving them what would have been a dramatic winner.

But in the end a draw was probably the fair result and keeps Bolton's bid for the play-offs firmly on track.

Teams

Norwich: A. Marshall, Sutch, Fuglestad, L. Marshall, Mackay, Jackson (Fleming 71), Anselin, Carey, Roberts, Dalglish (Bellamy 76), Llewellyn (Russell 41).

Goals: Roberts 3, 5.

Bolton: Banks, Cox, Phillips, Frandsen, Warhurst, Fish, Johansen, Jensen, Gudjohnson, Taylor, Gardner.

Subs Not Used: Todd, Fullarton, Hansen.

Goals: Cox 48, Frandsen 74.

Att: 11,137

Ref: A D'urso (Billericay).