RAMS sub Nathan Ellington capitalised on a mis-understanding in the Canary defence to fire home an 85th minute winner for ten-man Derby at Carrow Road.

Rob Hulse had headed the visitors in front during a scrappy first half before Sammy Clingan equalised for City. After the break from the penalty spot when Rams' 'keeper Roy Carroll brought down Leroy Lita on his City debut.

But although referee Darren Deadman dismissed Caroll for his foul, City failed to take advantage of their superior numbers and when Marshall came haring late out his box late in the game for a ball Adam Drury had appeared to have covered Ellington pounced to seal the win.

Antoine Sibierski controls the ball under pressure from
Derby defenders Dean Leacock and Jordan Stewart

An even first half saw good link-up play from Antoine Sibierski and City new-boy, Leroy Lita, as well as for Sammy Clingan back in the starting line-up after injury. But it was the Rams who took the lead with a goal in the 26th minute, when a corner was met by Rob Hulse on the back post and his header from close range sailed into the net past the helpless City 'keeper.

At the other end, a pass from Lee Croft found OJ Koroma in a dangerous position, whose effort went well wide of the Derby post.

Half Time: Norwich 0 Derby 1

With just four minutes of the second half gone, City were awarded a penalty after Clingan's through-ball sent Lita sprinting clear into the box and as he rounded Carroll, the Derby 'keeper through out a hand to bring the loan striker crashing to the floor. Referee Darren Deadman after consulting with his assistant showed Carroll the red card for a professional foul.

SPOT KICK: Derby goalkeeper Roy Carroll brings down
debutant Leroy Lita for a penalty and is sent off

Derby brought on substitute goalkeeper Stephen Bywater for Emanuel Villa but Bywater's first job was to pick the ball out of the net  after Sammy Clingan rammed home City's equaliser from the spot. It was Clingan's first senior goal for the Club . The 58th minute saw Mark Fotheringham replace an injured Jon Otsemobor, after a challenge led to an injured right leg for the player a few minutes earlier. 

The visitors took the lead in the 85th minute after the Rams' defence pumped a ball deep in to the City half. Drury went across to cover as Ellington collected but City 'keeper Marshall made an uncharacteristic error in coming all the way out of his box when it didn't look necessary to do so, and Ellington lying on the floor, swept the loose ball into the empty net. In the last minute of normal time Sibierski's flick-on fell invitingly to strike partner Lita but the Reading man fired wide from 14 yards.

Full time: Norwich 1 Derby 2

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor (Fotheringham 58), Drury, Croft (Lupoli 80), Clingan, Sibierski, Russell (C), Bertrand, Omozusi, Koroma (Bell 62), Lita. Subs not used: Nelson, Cureton

Derby County: Carroll, Connolly (C), Green, Stewart, Villa (Bywater 50), Hulse, Leacock, Nyatanga, Davies (Ellington 74), Addison, Barazite (Kazmierczak 62). Subs not used:, Sterjovski, Davis.