CITY defender Michael Nelson says a debatable decision against striker Grant Holt was what prompted referee Russell Booth to disallow his second-half header against Walsall on Saturday.

Nelson powered home a Paul McVeigh corner in the 63rd minute - but cheers and relief around the stadium proved short-lived as the whistle came to the Saddlers' rescue and the Midlanders held out for a 0-0 draw.

Nelson told First News: "I heard the whistle just after I'd headed it and then heard the fans' reaction and then realised it had been disallowed.

"Grant Holt says the ref said he fouled the 'keeper but Grant said he just stood his ground and the 'keeper's ran into him. It's one of them where if anybody breathes on the 'keeper in the six-yard box the ref's going to give them. I didn't see it myself but obviously the ref has ruled it out."

The former Hartlepool defender featured in his and City's third consecutive clean sheet, which was one positive to take from an afternoon when the Canaries struggled to impose themselves on a stubborn Walsall side.

Nelson commented: "I don't think we started particuarly well but we have ground out a 0-0. We didn't create a great deal, they started better than us first half but we gradually got into the game and we popped it about towards the end of the half.

"We've got to learn to be patient, learn to keep the ball more, be a little bit braver on it, get it down, pass it around and build the play up. I'm sure over the coming weeks, everyone will get used to it.

"As I said you've got to take the positives from it and we kept a clean sheet as we have in the two previous games, we looked pretty solid shape-wise, hopefully in the next game we'll improve and create a few more chances and pick up the win."