Anthony Pilkington acknowledged that, come May, Norwich City could look back at Monday’s Loftus Road win as one that kept Paul Lambert’s men in the Premier League.

The winger’s first-half equaliser set the Canaries on their way to a rare top-flight comeback victory on the road, helped by Joey Barton’s controversial 36th minute dismissal for a headbutt on Bradley Johnson.

Substitute Steve Morison’s late winner eventually sealed three priceless points to maintain City’s 100pc record against the sides they were promoted with last season.

And that is worth noting according to Pilkington, as ninth-placed Norwich increased the gap to eight points over their bank holiday hosts, who sit one place above the relegation zone.

“It’s a massive win; any win away from home in this league is huge and against one of the teams that are going to be in or around us come the end of the season,” said Pilkington.

“We’re pulling away from the pack now…hopefully we can keep picking up points, and I’m sure we’ll be sitting nicely come May.

“That’s all we are looking for, is to be in this league next season, and a big win like this is massive – hopefully at the end of the season we’ll look back at these wins and that’s what has kept us up.”

City completed a first Premier League double since 1994-95 with victory at QPR, while Pilkington’s sublime fifth goal of the season proved the winger was back to his best following a turn on Paul Lambert’s substitutes’ bench before Christmas.

“It wasn’t bad was it?” beamed Pilkington. “I think I was due one to be fair; it’s been a while. You do get tired legs. You are playing against world class footballers and you have to do a lot of running in this league.

“We’ve got a great squad and whoever comes in does really well, and it’s up to them to keep the shirt.

“We changed the team again today and it’s worked brilliantly. Everyone’s working together and there is a great team spirit in there.

“All the boys and all the staff, we are working really hard to get our aim at the end of the season.”