Norwich City 2, Ipswich Town 2

DAVID CUFFLEY

Norwich City's fighting spirit finally restored pride in the team after a thrilling East Anglian derby at Carrow Road. Second half goals from new signing Martin Taylor and Jamie Cureton earned the Canaries a well-earned point coming back from 2-nil down.

Ipswich had led 2-0 at the interval thanks to goals from Alan Lee and Pablo Counago.

Norwich were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time at the end of the game when Darren Huckerby was shown the red card.

New manager Glenn Roeder made four changes to the Norwich City side for his first match in charge in today's derby against Ipswich Town.

There was a surprise recall in midfield for Frenchman Julien Brellier, while Luke Chadwick was preferred to Lee Croft on the right. Dion Dublin returned in attack after missing three games with a back injury and new loan signing Martin Taylor made his debut in defence.

Ian Murray and Jimmy Smith were relegated to the bench alongside Croft and John Hartson, and there was no place in the 16 for Chris Martin or Michael Spillane.

Ipswich were without injured midfielder Tommy Miller and played two men up front - Pablo Counago and Alan Lee.

City began very brightly with Cureton heading wide from a cross from Otsemobor and Dublin forcing Alexander into action with a header from Lappin's corner.

After six minutes Keith Alexander produced a brilliant save to keep out Dublin's header from a cross from Cureton.

Cureton brought Alexander into action again with a right foot shot before Ipswich had their first opening after 17 minutes, Marshall saving with his legs from Garvan.

Dublin went close again midway through the half when he headed wide from a Huckerby cross but Ipswich went ahead after 26 minutes against the run of play.

Lee nodded down a clearance from Alexander to Counago, who played a return pass to Lee, who beat Marshall with a low shot just inside the post.

Counago made it 2-0 five minutes before half-time following a free kick from the edge of the Norwich area. Lee took the kick which took a deflection to Clarke and his shot was saved by Marshall but Clarke retrieved the ball from close to the line and pulled it back for Counago to score a simple goal.

One minute before the interval Cureton wasted a golden chance to pull a goal back when he poked a shot wide from close range after a goalmouth scramble when it seemed easier to score.

There were first half bookings for two Ipswich players - Legwinski and Counago, both for fouls on Chadwick.

Half-time: Norwich City 0, Ipswich Town 2

City began the second half with Hartson on in place of Dublin and they pulled a goal back after 54 minutes.

Lappin took an inswinging corner which was met by a header from Taylor and appeared to touch Garvan on its way into the net.

Two minutes later Chadwick produced a brilliant run but was foiled by a save from Alexander.

After 64 minutes Cureton was very close to levelling the scores when Hartson flicked the ball on and his shot was palmed away by Alexander.

But two minutes later the same combination did the trick as Hartson's header enabled Cureton to lob the ball home beyond Alexander for the equaliser.

After 69 minutes Lee had the ball in the net for Town but his effort was disallowed.

Hartson twice went close to giving City the lead.

First he had a low drive brilliantly saved by Alexander and then five minutes later he shot into the side netting after a free kick by Otsemobor.

With six minutes left Marshall did well to foil substitute Haynes from close range.

Russell and Lappin combined to produce a goal line clearance after 77 minutes to keep Norwich on terms.

City had Huckerby sent off in stoppage time for a tackle on Walters.

Result: Norwich City 2, Ipswich Town 2