Stephen Hughes took just three minutes to take out his frustration on Southampton and earn the Canaries a vital League One point. The Scottish midfielder has started just two of City's last 13 matches in all competitions through a combination of injury, international duty and the form of others.

Stephen Hughes took just three minutes to take out his frustration on Southampton and earn the Canaries a vital League One point.

The Scottish midfielder has started just two of City's last 13 matches in all competitions through a combination of injury, international duty and the form of others.

But he quickly made his mark by grabbing the 75th-minute equaliser in the 2-2 League One draw at St Mary's Stadium.

He said: “It's probably my first touch and I managed to hit the back of the net so I'm delighted - delighted to get the point.

“All I can keep doing is working hard in training and, when I get a chance like today, try to play well. Obviously when I get a goal it can help a bit. It's a big squad and there's good competition for places and the confidence is high.

“The team has been playing really well - there are a lot of players who need to bide their time, but it doesn't take anything away from it, we are all wanting to play and I am no different. But it's good I got on and getting the goal was ideal.

“It was end to end, both teams went for it. Even in the last 10 minutes both teams were trying to get the three points, but I think a draw was probably a fair result.

“It is very important for us that we keep it going. We've not been beaten a lot, it is important for us to come away to clubs like Southampton and if we don't get the three points we make sure we get a good point. Then we can go back up the road and look forward to Tuesday's game against Brighton.”

Manager Paul Lambert said of Hughes: “We needed a wee bit of legs because lads have been going week in, week out and he came on and did great.

“He has been unfortunate - he was in the team and then got hurt against MK Dons and then he went away with Scotland so he's been unfortunate with that side of it. I think by Stephen's own admission he is probably not 100 per cent match fit at the minute, but the team's been picking itself.”