The Canaries will be looking to rid themselves of one unwanted record when they take on Southend tonight. They've never won at Roots Hall - more than 50 years after their first attempt.

The Canaries will be looking to rid themselves of one unwanted record when they take on Southend tonight. They've never won at Roots Hall - more than 50 years after their first attempt.

And City have not beaten the Shrimpers home or away since 1960.

Norwich were in fact the visitors for the first match played at Roots Hall on August 20, 1955, when Martin Reagan scored their goal in a 3-1 defeat in Division Three South.

A further six visits have yielded three draws and three defeats. Their last two visits have ended in 1-1 draws, with Carl Bradshaw scoring in March 1996 and substitute Robert Fleck scoring a late equaliser in February 1997 after Mike Milligan had been sent off.

The last of City's five league wins at Southend was a 2-1 success in October, 1952, before they moved to their present ground.

The Canaries' last victory over the Shrimpers was, however, a memorable one. A 4-3 victory in front of 34,905 at Carrow Road on April 27, 1960, clinched promotion to Division Two.

Outside-left Bill Punton produced what many observers rated his finest match in Canary colours. He scored one of City's goals against his old club, while Errol Crossan (2) and Brian Whitehouse were also on target.