Norwich 1-1 Coventry

Dean Ashton heads Norwich into an early lead against Coventry

Dele Adebola rescued a point for Coventry away at Norwich with a close-range strike at Carrow Road.

Adebola met Gary McSheffrey's cross with 25 minutes to go to cancel out Dean Ashton's first-half opener.

Ashton, who had gone close with a testing 25-yard free-kick, climbed high to head in Dean Marney's centre.

Leon McKenzie drew a save from Stephen Bywater as Norwich had the best chances and Ashton should have won it when he headed against the bar late on.

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Norwich manager Nigel Worthington:
"A lot of people in this area are thinking it's going to be a cake-walk, but this is a tough league.

"In the first half our performance and energy level was good, but the second was completely different. We didn't pass the ball and it's a fair result.

"But this is two points dropped. We have to be patient and resilient and take our chances when they come."

Coventry manager Micky Adams:
"He made a couple of great saves and generally his calmness and handling were just what we needed.

"We expected a tough game. Norwich are one of the favourites but we did okay.

"That's a point no-one expected us to get. It's given us a foundation to play on and if we stay injury-free we won't be a pushover for anyone."

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Norwich: Green, Louis-Jean, Fleming, Doherty, Drury, Marney (Thorne 80), Hughes, Charlton (Jarrett 88), Huckerby, Ashton, McKenzie.
Subs Not Used: Ward, Brennan, Colin.

Booked: Fleming, Doherty.

Goals: Ashton 21.

Coventry: Bywater, Duffy, Page, Heath, Hall, McSheffrey (Jorgensen 87), Doyle, Hughes, Scowcroft, John, Adebola.
Subs Not Used: Ince, Morrell, Osbourne, Shaw.

Booked: Doyle, Duffy.

Goals: Adebola 65.

Att: 25,355

Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).