Ipswich boss Joe Royle has poured more fuel on the flames surrounding Danny Haynes' controversial winning goal at Carrow Road on Sunday. Norwich fans were left incensed at the 2-1 defeat, but the manner of Haynes' winner made it even worse as replays indicated that the ball hit his arm before going over the line.

Ipswich boss Joe Royle has poured more fuel on the flames surrounding Danny Haynes' controversial winning goal at Carrow Road on Sunday.

Norwich fans were left incensed at the 2-1 defeat, but the manner of Haynes' winner made it even worse as replays indicated that the ball hit his arm before going over the line.

But the boot of Canaries defender Gary Doherty was also in the mix and it was the City man who was credited with the goal by the Press Association - leaving Ipswich preparing to fight Haynes' corner.

The 18-year-old claimed the final touch - and Royle has promised the club will launch an appeal through the Football League in a bid to ensure the youngster goes into the record books as the scorer.

“It would be nice for Danny to be credited with the goal and it would preserve his record of having scored against Norwich at youth, reserve and first-team levels in one season,” said Royle.

“After the game all I kept hearing from the opposition end was that it was hand-ball.

“Well, they can't have it both ways. To me that says Danny put the ball in the net, so it's his goal.”

“I said to the players before Sunday's game that it was a game where heroes are made. As far as we're concerned Danny was our hero with the winning goal.”

However, Royle's logic presumably means that he agrees it was handball - and that runs against the grain of fair play, even in such a highly-charged atmosphere as the East Anglian derby.

Football League spokesman John Nagle confirmed the goal would remain credited to Doherty unless Ipswich made their move.

“If the club secretary makes contact we will set the wheels in motion to look at the video and make a decision,” he said.

“Our video panel sits to clarify situations of this type. Their decision is binding.”

Royle added: “It is important that we sort this out for Danny's sake. The main thing is that we won the game and picked up three points, but it is also important the record books get it right.

“Years from now we want people to know that Danny scored a dramatic late winner. The secretary is already on to it.”

If League bosses agree, the goal at Norwich was Haynes' second in as many games and his third in a season which has seen him grab his big chance.

But he has been ruled out of tomorrow's home clash with Burnley when Town will be seeking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.

The London-born youngster was injured before the winning goal went in at Norwich and has damaged ankle ligaments. A scan confirmed there was no break but Haynes is still likely to be on the sidelines for between four and five weeks.