Norwich City 1 Derby 0

Mackay scores with 9 minutes left to keep all the points at Carrow Road

A rare corner from Paul McVeigh and a text-book header from Malky Mackay was the difference between two competitive sides.

The Canaries kicked off attacking the River End goal but the Rams created most of the early chances forcing four corners in the first seven minutes.

The home side replied with a long-range effort from McVeigh which was safely gathered by Lee Grant.

Midway through the half Grant had to get down smartly to keep out a Iwan Roberts header from a Mark Rivers cross.

After 27 minutes Craig Fleming was booked for a clumsy challenge on Paul Boertien.

On the half hour Grant did well to block McVeigh's close-range effort from Darren Kenton's low cross.

Morris

Lee Morris was booked in the first minute of the second half for diving after a challenge by Kenton.

On the hour, Rivers made way for Ian Henderson who created problems for the Derby defence with his pace and enthusiasm.

Green did well to keep out Craig Burley's shot and a fierce effort

Craig Burley

from Izale McLeod.

There followed a spell of pressure from Norwich with Grant quickly off his line to deny Henderson. Steve Elliott was booked for felling Gary Holt on the edge of the Rams penalty area, but the resulting free-kick from Phil Mulryne was kept out by the defensive wall.

Steen Nedergaard was substituted for David Nielsen and Adam Bolder replaced Deon Burton.

Lee Grant

The game was won in the 81st minute when Mackay rose above the Derby defence to meet McVeigh's right-wing corner and his header looped over Grant and Warren Barton to go inside the top corner at the near post.

The home fans had to endure four minutes of added time before they could celebrate a hard fought home victory