Robins inflict Gunn's first loss

Orr: Decisive penalty

Bryan Gunn suffered his first defeat as Norwich City manager as Bristol City battled to a 2-1 win at Carrow Road.

Bradley Orr scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot just before half-time after Gary Doherty had been sent off for bringing down Dele Adebola.

The visitors had earlier taken the lead through Cole Skuse, only for the on-loan Jonathan Grounds to draw the Canaries level.

The Robins had the better of the opening period and centre-back Louis Carey came close to opening the scoring 10 minutes in but his header came back off the crossbar.

The visitors recalled nine-goal top scorer Nicky Maynard into their starting XI after he missed the Robins' last two games with a dead leg and he was at the centre of the action as his side took the lead.

Following a period of intense pressure, Maynard spun his marker and darted towards the right-side byline before delivering a precise cut-back for Skuse to slot home from 12 yards.

Against the run of play, Norwich found themselves back in the game when Carl Cort's header came crashing back off the post after Sammy Clingan's tantalising delivery but Grounds was there to follow up and tap in.

The Robins should have regained the lead almost immediately but Maynard somehow conspired to miss the target with his header from four yards out a minute later.

Gunn will have been less than impressed with his side's defending in the first half as they struggled to deal with Maynard and Adebola in every attack.

Defensive error

It was a defensive error that led to the next goal as goalkeeper David Marshall's poor clearance fell straight to Adebola but as he darted forward, Canaries centre-back Doherty scythed him down and referee Andy D'Urso had little hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Captain Doherty was immediately dismissed for his challenge and Orr converted the resulting spot-kick.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the home side started the second half in positive fashion as Lee Croft attempted to inspire his side with several darting runs forward.

The visitors were still retaining the lion's share of possession but it was the Canaries who were now carving out the more meaningful attacks as Wes Hoolahan's long-range drive was spilled by keeper Adriano Basso and scrambled to safety by his defenders.

Canaries midfielder Croft was also growing in stature but his crosses rarely found isolated lone striker Cort as Gunn's side paid the price for being reduced to 10 men.

Less than two minutes before the full-time whistle the Robins should have wrapped up all three points when substitute Ivan Sproule opened up the Canaries back-line with a crafty one-two with Gavin Williams, but his following shot missed the target.