Two first-half goals were enough to earn Albion Reserves three points at Carrow Road last night.

It wasn't vintage stuff but Albion did enough to weather a late storm by the Canaries.

Norwich deserved at least a draw for their efforts, but paid a heavy price for failing to turn possession into goals.

Albion were unable to make inroads into the Norwich defence in the early stages but equally their back four comfortable thwarted Norwich's attacks as the game got bogged down in midfield.

It took Albion 22 minutes to register their first shot on goal, from Conor McCurdy, but seconds later they were ahead.

Daniel Marney was on hand to stab the ball home after Norwich failed to clear a near-post setpiece corner.

The goal came against the run of play but it was deserved punishment for a Norwich team sadly lacking in ideas.

The hosts tried everything to get back into the game but Albion's defence and midfield were easily a match for them.

As the first half drew to a close, Norwich's threat increased and Albion's hopes lay in the counter attack.

Just before half-time they were rewarded with a second goal to effectively kill the game.

A fine move ended with Canaries' keeper Robert Green fumbling Marney's long-range shot only for Danny Davis to knock in the rebound.

Not surprisingly, Albion were content to sit on their lead in the second half although there were a few anxious moments in their defence.

Norwich pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, Cedric Anselin converting after Ben Andrews was penalised for climbing.

Davis tested keeper Green in the latter stages but it was a rare foray forward by Albion who managed to cling on until the end for a hard-earned success.

Albion Reserves: Ormerod, Andrews, Campbell, Holmes, Palmer, Armstrong, McCurdy, Davis, Marney, Dallaway, Westcott (Samson 75 mins). Subs not used: Culverhouse, Packham.

Attendance: 1,521.

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