Michael Bailey A bundled effort from Kevin Lisbie two minutes from time prevented Norwich City Reserves recording a good win against Colchester United's second string at Colney this afternoon.

Michael Bailey

A bundled effort from Kevin Lisbie two minutes from time prevented Norwich City Reserves recording a good win against Colchester United's second string at Colney this afternoon.

The Canaries had led for most of the game after Luke Daley earned them a first-half lead.

The striker, returning to action after two and a half months out with a thigh injury, deftly headed home a curling centre from the impressive George Francomb on 21 minutes, following good work from Owain Tudur Jones and Tom Adeyemi in midfield.

Damon Lathrope should have made it two four minutes later, but he skied over from three yards out with the goal gaping.

And with several other chances going begging before the break, City were made to pay as a strong United side build up a head of second-half steam.

Even then, Jed Steer's fine saves - one brilliant stop from a Magnus Okuonghae header, a second impressively seeing off Ian Henderson's deflected 25-yarder - looked to have sealed three Totesport.com Combination points for the home side.

But with just two minutes remaining Sam Corcoran headed a United corner into the City box and Lisbie was on hand to force the ball home.

There was still time for Henderson to pick up a booking for a studded lunge on Michael Spillane, but the City right-back saw out the rest of the game after some treatment.

t Norwich: Steer, Spillane, Askou, Stephens, Francomb, Adeyemi, Tudur Jones (Gordon 61), Lathrope, Dawkin, Kelly, Daley (Drmola 46). Unused sub: Oakley. Goal: Daley 21.

t Colchester: Cousins, Knudsen, Okuonghae, Batth (Heath 46), Bender, Voncent, Fox, Corcoran, Elito (Malton 82), Henderson, Lisbie. Unused subs: Cussack, Sanderson, Hamilton. Goal: Lisbie 88. Booking: Henderson 89.

Referee: S Long

Attendance: 49