A SPLENDID second-half goal from Paul McVeigh proved enough to give City a 1-0 win over Raith Rovers at Stark's Park this evening as Norwich got their tour of Scotland off to a winning start.

City handed Serbian triallist Goran Maric a start, partnering Jamie Cureton in attack, while fellow triallists Paul McVeigh, Michael Bridges and Chris Craig were handed places on the bench.

The game's first clear-cut chance fell to Raith striker Gregory Tade on just four minutes. After being sent clean through on goal by Graham Weir the frontman was bearing down on goal and with just Jed Steer to beat he proceeded to produce a comical air kick.

City's band of travelling fans got an early glimpse of Maric in action after eight minutes when he tested 'keeper Gary O'Connor with a low powerful shot after being teed up by Matt Gill. Then moments later Maric saw a shot from outside the area hit the base of the post before the Raith defence cleared the danger.

The hosts went close on the 20-minute mark when a long-range effort from a defender on trial, saw his 25-yard shot fly wide of Steer's left-hand post.

Two minutes later and Raith 'keeper O'Connor had to be swift off of his line to clear the danger with Jamie Cureton bearing down on the host's goal.

As the game moved from end to end it was Raith striker Tade who had the game's next good chance but the lively frontman blazed over from just eight yards out.

Shortly before the half-hour mark City created another smart opening. Michael Nelson played an excellent long pass down the right to find Gill but the City midfielder saw no-one on the end of his driven cross.

City pressed at the end of the opening half and won a free kick when Tudur Jones was fouled on the edge of the Raith area but the Welshman saw his free-kick charged down by the defensive wall.

Half-time: Raith Rovers 0 Norwich City 0

ACTION MAN: Midfielder Matt Gill in the thick of the action

City boss Bryan Gunn made no changes during the half-time interval as the visitors started the brighter of the two sides.

Referee Stephen Finnie was soon in the thick of the action as he pulled Maric and Raith defender Mark Campbell to one side in an attempt to put an end to an on-going spat between the two.

On 50 minutes City were indebted to a last ditch tackle from Adam Drury to deny the lively Tade who had turned smartly in the City box.

The 56th minute saw a trio of City changes as triallists McVeigh, Bridges and Craig entered the fray in place of Otsemobor, Maric and Cureton.

City opened the scoring on the hour-mark as McVeigh marked his introduction with a neat finish from six yards after being picked out by Matty Pattison. The former Northern Ireland international received the ball inside the box and with a number of home defenders in attendance still had plenty to do before firing home.

On 71 minutes Raith engineered a great opportunity to level the score but after Weir took the ball beautifully in his stride his shot was disappointing and easily collected by Jed Steer.

SAFE HANDS: Youngster Jed Steer claims a cross

Michael Spillane was the City hero with ten minutes to play as he hacked the ball off the City goal line as the hosts stepped up their search for an equaliser.

Full-time: Raith Rovers 0 Norwich City 1

After the match City boss Bryan Gunn confirmed he was pleased to see his side off to a winning start. He told First News: "I'm fairly happy with the performance, the fitness levels and the result of course. We've come out of it with a couple of bumps but that's to be expected as well.

"Another pleasing aspect was a clean sheet as well. Lots of positives and not too many negatives - all-in-all a good nights work."

Full interview and match highlights to follow tomorrow.

City: Steer, Spillane, Drury, Gill, Nelson (c), Stephens, Otsemobor (McVeigh 56), Tudur Jones (Adeyemi 79), Maric (Bridges 56), Cureton (Craig 56), Pattison. Subs not used: Rudd (GK), Dumic, Lappin, Martin, McDonald.

Raith: O'Connor, Wilson, Ellis (Triallist 64), Campbell, Triallist, Davidson, Williamson, Simmons, Tade, Weir (Graham 78), Ferry (Walker 53). Subs not used: McGurn (GK), Bryce, Whatley, McKechnie.

Referee: S. Finnie

Attendance: 1,135

Pictures courtesy of Tony Fimister and Jim Foy of Raith Rovers