King's Lynn 2, Norwich City XI 2

Paddy Davitt

Lynn ended their penalty hoodoo to salvage a battling stoppage time draw against Paul Stephenson's young Canaries.

Norwich trialist keeper Stuart Nelson clipped John Turner as the tall targetman tried to slot into an empty net.

Turner composed himself to send Nelson the wrong way after Keith Webb's men had missed four previous penalties stretching back to the final week of last season's Southern League title success.

Norwich's young guns Luke Daley and Kris Renton had earlier fired the visitors into a deserved half time lead before Julian Joachim opened his Linnets account to reduce the arrears on the hour mark.

Luke Chadwick and Robert Eagle were the only recognised senior players in Norwich's starting line up - Chadwick included after a cameo against Tottenham the previous evening.

Webb left highly rated wide Joe Francis on the bench - Jack Defty and Joachim again paired in attack. Left back Ben Chapman returned having sat out the weekend friendly win over Stamford with a groin problem.

Scott Howie parried Chadwick's angled strike in the opening exchanges after Renton pounced on former Norwich academy youngster Greg Crane's misjudgement.

Daley kept his cool to race clear and slot underneath Howie having sprung Lynn's porous offside trap from Tom Adeyemi's sharp pass. Adeyemi picked Ben Sedgemore's pocket but Howie dropped on Daley's scuffed strike from the edge.

Chadwick held off Chapman only for Simon Weaver to bail out his fellow full back with Eagle ready to pounce. Crane's timely near post block denied Daley with strike partner Renton again the chief instigator of the visitors' best work in a bright opening for the Scottish teenager.

Defty's volley screwed wide just before the half hour after the big striker outmuscled Danny Kelly to reach Sedgemore's flighted free kick. Howie's point blank reaction stop foiled Eagle before Joachim finally pressed Nelson into action with a tame half volley.

Kelly sensed the danger to snuff out Steve Melton from Chapman's impudent flick. The unmarked Weaver headed Melton's dipping corner over six yards out.

Renton robbed Sedgmore again in midfield to tee up Chadwick who drilled a right footer against the outside of Howie's left hand post.

Renton's howitzer fizzed past Howie on 37 minutes after Chadwick sprung a rapid counter from the edge of Norwich's penalty area - the Scot mobbed by his delirious young team mates.

Norwich captain Korey Smith's flying diving header flew over with Norwich's potent threat evident in the closing stages.

t Half-time: King's Lynn 0, Norwich City XI 2

Joachim latched onto Crane's precise pass on the restart but David Stephens had too much gas for the ex-Aston Villa striker.

Michael Frew cut inside Sam Habergham but dragged at Nelson. Joachim smashed home his first for the club on 59 minutes with Norwich's backline appealing in vain for offside from Melton's knockdown. Joachim exited the stage for Francis with Webb ringing the second half changes. Howie acrobatically denied compatriot Renton from point blank range after Eagle escaped down the left.

Simon Lappin replaced Eagle on 65 minutes in Stephenson's first change of the friendly. Francis was clearly dragged back by George Francomb but Danny Bloomfield skied over with the ref playing advantage.

Nelson made an excellent one handed stop to deny Bloomfield seconds later from Francis' perfect reverse ball. Lynn played out the final ten minutes a man light after Francis hobbled out of the action clutching his left hip following an awkward aerial collision with Francomb.

Adeyemi scythed his way through but his right footer rolled past Howie's post in the final stages. Turner galloped clear before stumbling in his attempt to hurdle Nelson - referee Turner eventually pointing to the spot. Lynn namesake Turner composed himself to send Nelson the wrong way from the spot.

t Result: King's Lynn 2, Norwich City XI 2

t King's Lynn: Howie, Weaver, Chapman (C Defty 65), Peters, Crane, Bridgwater (Camm 50), Frew (Turner 61), Sedgemore (Fisk 50), J Defty (Bloomfield 56), Joachim (Francis 61), Melton (Kelly 63). Sub (not used): Murray.

Goals: Joachim (59), Turner (90)

t Norwich XI: Nelson, Francomb, Habergham, Smith, Stephens, Kelly, Chadwick, Adeyemi, Renton (Davey 66), Daley, Eagle (Lappin 65). Subs (not used): Richardson, Cooper, Clarke, Noble, Lathrope, Rudd.

Goals: Daley (10), Renton (37)

t Referee: J Turner (Norfolk)