CHRIS LAKEY Peter Grant earned a stay of execution last night, despite watching Norwich City slip into the bottom three after a goalless draw against Championship new boys Scunthorpe at Carrow Road.

CHRIS LAKEY

Peter Grant earned a stay of execution last night, despite watching Norwich City slip into the bottom three after a goalless draw against Championship new boys Scunthorpe at Carrow Road.

The pressure has been building on the Canaries boss after a run of five defeats in six matches going into last night's game - billed by some as 'make-or-break' for Grant.

But while City failed to make their second-half dominance tell, it was a performance which had enough bite in it to suggest Grant will still be in charge when City go to Queens Park Rangers on Monday. All that was missing was a goal - for the fifth game in a row.

Grant also has to face up to 'several weeks' without defender Gary Doherty, who aggravated a groin injury.

“It's a big blow for us, but he was determined to play and if they show that spirit and determination hopefully with a bit of luck the goals will come and the victories will come - because that is obviously what we are desperate to do, to turn the draw into a victory,” said Grant. “Spirit wise I can't fault any of them. They have worked their socks off to try and win the game.

“I thought yet again the support was fantastic because it would have been easy to be critical. I know they are desperate for us to win the game and are waiting for things to happen and waiting to celebrate a goal.

“I think they have seen the commitment of the players for each other on the pitch and that's a big thing for me.”

With Dion Dublin back after suspension, Grant played the 4-4-2 formation many fans had been crying out for.

“The team selection we put out was positive and the bench we put out,” he said. “We are desperate to give them a victory and play well and bang a few goals in.

“There is always a pressure in not winning games, it is no use kidding yourself. We have to be positive.

“Now we have a few days before the QPR game. We will analyse the game, take out the positives and hopefully it will be enough so we can go into the game in a positive frame of mind again.

“We don't like where we are, but results dictate that is where we are because we have not won enough games. We have to accept that and the only way you can change that is by winning games of football.”