Former Molineux favourite Iwan Roberts dealt a major blow to Wolves' play-off challenge as he scored the only goal of the game to earn Norwich three points.

The big striker took his tally for the season to 19 as he nodded home Adrian Forbes' corner five minutes into the second half.

The visitors are just about still in touch with the top six but will need to produce far better performances than this if they are to make up the deficit, which now stands at five points.

Colin Lee's side started brightly and might have gone ahead after 56 seconds when it took a magnificent fingertip save from Andy Marshall to keep out Michael Branch's curling shot.

But they never seriously trouble the City keeper again until the 87th minute when slack defending allowed Branch to burst clear.

His initial shot was well blocked by Marshall and then Darren Bazeley, with a clear sight of goal, somehow screwed his shot wide.

It just about summed up Wolves' gloomy afternoon at a rain-drenched Carrow Road when substitute Simon Osborne was sent off on the 83rd minute for his second bookable offence, tripping Roberts as he bore down on goal.

Norwich struggled to get their passing game going on a wretched afternoon and it took the presence of Wolves defender Kevin Muscat to galvanise the home crowd.

The City fans are still incensed with the high tackle by the Australian on Craig Bellamy last season and booed the Wolves player throughout.

But Norwich struggled to take advantage of the red-hot atmosphere and it was not until two minutes after the restart that they managed a shot on target, with Lee Marshall's free-kick superbly tipped away for a corner.

Roberts' goal then settled the home nerves and the Canaries could easily have stretched their lead at the end as Wolves pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Roberts saw one first-time shot hit the outside of the post after a flowing move while substitute Phil Mulryne, making his first home appearance since breaking his leg in August, brought another fine save out of Michael Oakes.

Teams:

Norwich: A. Marshall, Derveld (Kenton 59), Fleming, Jackson, Sutch, Forbes, Hamilton (Mulryne 53), Brady, L. Marshall, Roberts, Llewellyn (Giallanza 68).

Subs Not Used: Russell, Green.

Goals: Roberts 50.

Wolverhampton: Oakes, Muscat, Curle, Pollet, Bazeley, Emblen, Nielsen, Sedgley, Taylor (Osborn 56), Branch, Flo.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Simpson, Lescott, Petterson.

Sent Off: Osborn (83).

Booked: Sedgley, Osborn.

Att: 15,910

Ref: A D'Urso (Billericay).