Darren Huckerby fired in the 100th Football League goal of his career to sink play-off hopefuls Stoke but admitted: “I'm not counting.” City's 30-year-old star forward proved the matchwinner for the second time in five days at Carrow Road with a beautifully worked goal after half an hour, taking a perfect backheel return from Chris Martin before shooting past Steve Simonsen.

Darren Huckerby fired in the 100th Football League goal of his career to sink play-off hopefuls Stoke but admitted: “I'm not counting.”

City's 30-year-old star forward proved the matchwinner for the second time in five days at Carrow Road with a beautifully worked goal after half an hour, taking a perfect backheel return from Chris Martin before shooting past Steve Simonsen.

It was his 12th goal of the season and his 42nd for the Canaries in all competitions. But Huckerby, who scored an even better winner against then Championship leaders Birmingham last Tuesday, said afterwards: “I'm just happy to be playing well and chipping in. I don't really keep tabs on how many I score - you lot keep telling me. Chris has been scoring a few goals, so I'm happy to be getting one or two.

“It was a lovely backheel and a nice finish. Just before the goal we'd got our wires crossed. I tried a one-two and he had made a run, but the second time it worked perfectly.”

Huckerby said City were good value for their win after losing 5-0 at Stoke in October.

“I thought we dominated the game, really,” he said. “I didn't play in the game at their place but I know the lads had a hard time so it was more than sweet. Shacks had a great header after we scored - God knows what he is doing with the follow-up. It fell to his right foot and it was probably his new haircut - maybe he was a bit off balance.

“I had another chance in the second half when I should have maybe took it on but tried to lift it over the 'keeper.”

Huckerby plans to rest over the international break but City's red-hot attacker wants no let-up when the Canaries resume Championship hostilities at Colchester on March 31.

“This has been a tough couple of weeks and I feel I need a break - I'm getting on a bit now,” he said. “It's always nice to go into a break with a victory, especially after this week. We've had a brilliant week and we need to keep it going when we come back.”