A pulsating climax to the East Anglian derby saw Pablo Couñago grab an equaliser for the Blues in injury time from a Darren Bent missed penalty. Prior to that, the game had taken much the same pattern as recent derbies, Town having most of the play before conceding, and once again there was more than a little controversy.

George Burley's side lined-up 5-3-2 with the recalled Mark Venus and John McGreal playing either side of Hermann Hreidarsson. Jermaine Wright and Jamie Clapham were the wing-backs while Matt Holland was joined by Jim Magilton and Darren Ambrose in midfield. Up front Town started with Darren and Marcus Bent.

From the kick-off the game started to take on the look of most recent derbies which have hardly been classics. Norwich sat back as Town came at them with the ball rarely at the Town end in the first fifteen minutes.

Chances, however, were few and far between with Jamie Clapham's shot which was easy for Green in the 13th minute perhaps the best.

Norwich's first chance was a cheeky effort from McVeigh who tried to catch his former goalkeeper off his line with a looping shot from distance which just went wide with Marshall beaten.

On 17 Alex Notman broke away from the wall too early and blocked a Mark Venus freekick. Referee Paul Durkin called play back and booked Notman who needed treatment after receiving a severe blow by the Venus kick. Eventually he was stretchered off with Darel Russell replacing him.

Venus retook his freekick from ten yards nearer goal and this time struck Russell. The ball came out to Jermaine Wright who hit a volley which was well-saved by Green. Russell went down needing treatment after his Venus inflicted injuries, but was able to carry on.

Despite Town having the majority of the play, the better chances were falling to the Canaries. In the 29th minute the best so far saw Roberts hammer a shot against Marshall's bar after McVeigh had broken quickly down the middle.

As the half wore on the visitors got more of the ball and Phil Mulryne curled a freekick over the bar. With a minute left on the clock Mark Venus was booked for a foul on McVeigh.

Neither side made changes at the break and Paul Durkin's yellow card was once again in action when Nedergaard felled Jamie Clapham somewhat cynically as the Town man broke forward.

Darren Bent found himself with a run on goal in the 49th minute but a combination of defenders, a difficult to control ball and keeper Robert Green stopped him in his tracks.

Town's other youngster, Darren Ambrose had had a quiet first half mainly due to Gary Holt following him everywhere. However, on 52 he ran in from the right and hit a shot which Green saved. Ten minutes later he had another shot blocked inside the area and, like Darren Bent earlier on, he found himself through on goal but with the ball refusing to fall for him.

On 65 George Burley decided to make a change. Town were starting to look a bit jaded with the Norwich defence equal to anything thrown at them and the Canary midfield showing more endeavour than previously. Off came Marcus Bent and on Alun Armstrong.

Andy Marshall showed his old supporters what he was capable of in the 70th minute when he brilliantly tipped a Russell header round the post.

At the other end Armstrong went as close as Town had to a goal when he hit Jermaine Wright's deep cross inches over the bar with Green beaten.

Marshall was again in action on 76 when he excellently saved from Kenton, again tipping round the post.

However, two minutes later Norwich were ahead. McVeigh put a ball into the box from deep which Marshall appeared to claim comfortably until Iwan Roberts piled into his body causing him to drop the ball at the Welsh striker's feet. With Town fans awaiting a whistle for what certainly appeared to be a foul, the ball was turned back in and Malky Mackay beat the returning Marshall and Jamie Clapham on the line.

Town-Norwich derbies have been full of controversy over the last ten years, with dubious sendings off and given and then taken away penalties amongst the highlights. Mackay's goal looks likely to be another incident discussed for many years to come.

As the Norwich players celebrated by their fans in the Cobbold Stand, Norwich keeper Robert Green gestured and shouted towards the North Stand provoking an angry reaction from supporters at the front of the stand.

Town quickly had the ball in the net but Darren Bent's effort was disallowed due to a foul by Alun Armstrong. Green again appeared to mouth abuse at the North Stand as he retrieved the ball.

With ten minutes left George Burley decided to throw everything into attack, taking off Jim Magilton and adding Pablo Couñago to his strikeforce.

Town piled on the pressure with little play outside the final third of the pitch. Clapham hit a shot just wide before Couñago and Kenton were involved in a bout of handbags after the Canary defender reacted to the Spaniard's challenge. Both were shown yellow cards.

With two minutes left Jermaine Wright found his way into the book when he fouled McVeigh fairly innocuously during what by this stage was a rare Norwich foray forward. Perhaps it was Wright's reaction to the award of the freekick which had more to do with it than the tackle, the wing-back smashing the ball into the advertising hoardings.

As the game passed the 90 minute mark there was an almighty scramble in the Norwich box but still the goal wouldn't come. Hreidarsson, by now in attack, made a run through but had his shot blocked, Holland had a couple of efforts also cleared as the Town pressure continued relentlessly.

As the game moved into injury time Hreidarsson appeared to be pushed in the area by Mackay as he jumped to head on a throw-in. Referee Paul Durkin saw nothing and play continued.

The match entered the third minute of injury time and Pablo Couñago was played in down the right by Holland, inside the penalty area. He got to the by-line crossed the ball and Norwich defender Adam Drury stuck out an arm. Town appealed and referee Paul Durkin pointed straight at the spot.

Darren Bent grabbed the ball, but there was a delay as Norwich's Paul Heckingbottom sat down in the area in what appeared to be an attempt to waste time. The former Darlington man claimed cramp but Paul Durkin was having none of it and booked him as stretcher-bearers made their way onto the pitch.

Bent readied himself for the kick, ran-up and hit a powerful low shot which cannoned back off the post to Darren Ambrose who sent the ball goalward. Green was equal to it, but could only push the ball to Pablo Couñago who slotted home for a famous equaliser.

The Town players celebrated in front of the North Stand while some fans ran on the pitch, one making a point to Green, presumably in answer to his earlier antics.

Once order had been restored the final whistle went on the best derby for some while. Referee Paul Durkin kept the game going well, although if he looks at the tape of the game he may feel he made an error on the Norwich goal when Marshall was certainly pushed.

Both sides will probably be happy with a draw and Town will feel they may have a good chance of three points at Carrow Road when Norwich are likely to play a less defensive game. That said the Canaries were not quite the singularly defensive outfit we have seen in recent years and created more chances than in previous derbies.

With the derby out of the way, the Blues can look ahead to Thursday's UEFA Cup match with FK Sartid and then the serious business of picking up points in the bread and butter First Division matches, starting next week at Stoke.

Photo: Action Images

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