David Cuffley New signing Russell Martin hailed Norwich City's dramatic draw at Yeovil as a point gained - after providing the major assist in fellow defender Gary Doherty's late, late equaliser.

David Cuffley

New signing Russell Martin hailed Norwich City's dramatic draw at Yeovil as a point gained - after providing the major assist in fellow defender Gary Doherty's late, late equaliser.

Full-back Martin's shot was diverted into the net by Doherty in the fourth minute of stoppage time to earn the Canaries a 3-3 draw at Huish Park and stretch their unbeaten run to eight league matches.

And the on-loan defender, who skippered Peterborough to promotion last season, said City's perseverance illustrated the kind of character needed to get out of League One.

He said: “We have to look at it as one point gained. We've equalised in the last minute of injury time and showed some character. It could be a massive point at the end of the season. A lot of teams are going to come down here and drop points. I think Charlton came here and drew earlier in the season, and Yeovil picked up a good result at MK Dons last week, so they're a decent side.

“Of course we'll go over the negatives in training this week but it's a tough league and we've come down here and got a hard-fought point. Although we're not overly satisfied with it, we have to go home and say it's a point, it's better than nothing.”

City are third in the table on goal difference from Colchester, and have been beaten just once in their last 14 league games.

But it might have been different after substitute Jonathan Obika, one of five loan players in the Yeovil side, headed them into a 3-2 lead in the first minute of time added on. Cue the Martin-Doherty rescue act.

“Rusty (Darel Russell) set me up on the edge of the box and I took a touch and I just thought 'I'm going to whip it' and get it on target and who knows?” said Martin. “It might have been sneaking in, I'm not sure, but Doc got a great touch on it and it crept in.

“They had scored in injury time and lesser teams probably go under and think that's it. But we dug in and Chris Martin could have scored just before that as well, so it's testament to the lads' character.

“Character is going to play a big part in this season. Team spirit is massive if you want to get promoted from this league and I think we have shown that even though we're not at our best, we've ground out a draw at a tough place to come.

“It's a long old season. We've got no divine right to come down here and beat Yeovil. I know the club's a big, big club but on their day teams are going to be up for it, especially against a club like ours and we need to combat that and pick up results.”

Martin has played three times since arriving from London Road and is hoping the move becomes permanent when his loan runs out on January 4, his 24th birthday. Before that, his family will be in Norwich for Christmas.

He said: “When I first came here I said to the gaffer I want to do enough to impress everyone and stay on and that hasn't changed. I hope I've started doing that and I'll do enough to stay.

“As a defence we're a bit disappointed with conceding three goals today, but I'm really enjoying it. I feel my match fitness is nearly there now.”