On-loan striker Lee Mills scored a valuable late equaliser for struggling Stoke at Carrow Road to leave Norwich still searching for their first league win this year.

Norwich, with just one win in seven games in the First Division, seemed set to kick-start their promotion push with three precious points when they led 2-0 after 23 minutes.

But Stoke hit back to record a draw and climb out of the bottom three on goal difference following Grimsby's 3-0 defeat at leaders Portsmouth.

Norwich, winless in four league games, did not take long to break their first-half duck.

Stoke goalkeeper Steve Banks spilled a Malky Mackay header, debutant David Healy - on a one-month loan from Preston - saw his effort parried, but Iwan Roberts was hand to head home.

It was the Welshman's first goal in 12 games and the first time Norwich had scored in the first half in 12 matches.

Buoyed by that goal, Darren Kenton - whose much-speculated move during the transfer window failed to materialise - unleashed a left-foot shot from 20 yards which flashed just wide.

At the other end, Stoke striker Chris Greenacre volleyed wide from a cross by Frazer Robinson, on loan from Leeds.

Norwich suffered a setback in the 22nd minute when left-back Adam Drury, on the end of a heavy challenge early in the game, was forced off and was replaced by Chris Llewellyn.

But it failed to detract the home side and they doubled their advantage a minute later through Mackay, who headed home his fifth goal of the season from Kenton's pinpoint cross.

Norwich goalkeeper Rob Green was forced to make his first save in the 37th minute.

Dutchman Peter Hoekstra curled a left-footed shot from the edge of the area which Green tipped round the post.

Norwich nearly added a third with Healy unfortunate not to mark his debut with a goal as he saw his header hit the crossbar in injury time.

Richardson was thwarted by Green at the start of the second half and Banks pulled off a fantastic save to keep out a stunning volley from Healy as the game swung from end to end.

Stoke, with just one away win in the league this season, hauled themselves back into the game in the 63rd minute, Brynjar Gunnarsson heading home Hoekstra's cross.

Norwich came close to restoring their two-goal cushion, but Banks denied Paul McVeigh his 14th of the season.

At the other end, Richardson thought he had levelled for Stoke, but Green produced a stunning save to push the ball round the post.

Healy hit a shot over the crossbar as Norwich frantically searched for an insurance goal to give them some breathing space.

But Mills, on loan from Coventry, denied them victory ay the death with a stunning effort from the edge of the box.

Teams

Norwich Green, Darren Kenton, Mackay, Fleming, Drury (Llewellyn 22), Rivers (Briggs 68), Russell, Holt, McVeigh, Roberts, Healy (Abbey 90).

Subs Not Used: Crichton, Nielsen.

Booked: McVeigh.

Goals: Roberts 2, Mackay 23.

Stoke Banks, Thomas, Handyside, Shtanuk, Marcus Hall, Richardson, O'Connor, Gunnarsson, Hoekstra, Iwelumo (Mills 49), Greenacre (Marteinsson 90).

Subs Not Used: Cutler, Gudjonsson, Neal.

Booked: Thomas, Hoekstra.

Goals: Gunnarsson 63, Mills 88.

Att: 20,186

Ref: R Olivier (Sutton Coldfield).