David Cuffley SLIDESHOW: Goalkeeper John Ruddy made a fine penalty save to earn Norwich City a draw from their pre-season friendly at Football League newcomers Stevenage. Ruddy dived to his right to keep out Scott Laird's 54th-minute spot-kick after defender Zak Whitbread had tripped Charlie Griffin.

David Cuffley

Goalkeeper John Ruddy made a fine penalty save to earn Norwich City a draw from their pre-season friendly at Football League newcomers Stevenage.

Ruddy dived to his right to keep out Scott Laird's 54th-minute spot-kick after defender Zak Whitbread had tripped Charlie Griffin.

Substitute keeper Jed Steer also made two excellent saves after replacing Ruddy on the hour to give his side a clean sheet.

The Canaries gave their travelling fans a first look at new signing Simeon Jackson in club colours and twice in the opening period he was denied by home 'keeper Chris Day.

Jackson was replaced by Oli Johnson at the interval and on the hour City changed the other 10 players.

Striker Jackson almost scored on the half-hour when David Fox picked him out with a beautiful through-ball and he struck a powerful right-foot shot that Day beat away.

Moments later, acting captain Michael Nelson almost broke the deadlock with a header from Fox's corner.

In first-half stoppage time, Jackson went very close again when Wes Hoolahan set him up for a left-foot shot that Day pushed away again.

Stevenage's best effort before the break came when a foul by Whitbread on Griffin gave Stevenage a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and Joel Byrom's left-foot shot brought a fine save out of Ruddy, diving to his right.

Stevenage started the second half brightly with Roberts heading against the post and Laird testing Ruddy with a long-range effort.

After 54 minutes, Whitbread was adjudged to have tripped Griffin but Ruddy dived to his right to save Laird's penalty.

City's own penalty appeals were turned away when Russell Martin's header from an Andrew Surman cross appeared to strike the arm of Darius Charles.

On the hour, City replaced the other 10 players, which meant they now had a completely different eleven from the start of the match.

Steer made a fine save from Roberts' header midway through the half.

Anthony McNamee's shot was saved by Hayes seven minutes from time, then at the other end Steer made a marvellous one-handed save from David Bridges to keep his side on terms.

The City squad on duty on a warm evening at Broadhall Way did not include skipper Grant Holt, summer signings Elliott Ward and Steven Smith, nor midfielder Stephen Hughes and defender Jens Berthel Askou.

t Stevenage: Day (Bayes 76); Henry, Bostwick, Roberts (Foster 76), Laird (Winn 65); Murphy (Charles 45); Long (Bridges 80), Byrom, Griffin (Riza 70); Boylan (Wilson 45), Vincenti (Savage 57).

t Norwich City: Ruddy (Steer 60); Russell Martin (Brindley 60), Nelson (Tudur Jones 60), Whitbread (Francomb 60), Drury (Lappin 60); Fox (Gill 60); Crofts (Korey Smith 60), Surman (Ball 60); Hoolahan (McNamee 60); Jackson (Johnson 45), Chris Martin (Dawkin 60).

t Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire)