A FIRST-HALF strike from Chris Martin was enough to give Paul Lambert's Canaries three precious points as they got back to winning ways against Swindon at Carrow Road.
Skipper Grant Holt had already crashed a shot against the Swindon bar with a lovely effort before Martin pounced to grab his fifth goal of the season in the 32nd minute.
It came when Simon Lappin's corner fell to Wes Hoolahan and his shot was superbyly saved by Swindon 'keeper David Lucas. But the rebound fell to Gary Doherty, who showed good awareness to feed the ball out to Martin. With the visitors' defence at full stretch Martin kept his head to slide the ball in from a tight angle.
Swindon boss Danny Wilson threw all his attacking players into the fray during the second half but they failed to seriously trouble Fraser Forster in goal for Norwich, who showed good composure to bounce back from Leeds with a clean sheet.
With other results going their way the Canaries edged ahead of Bristol Rovers into fifth position in the League One table on goal difference.
After the game City boss Paul Lambert said: "I think how you react to a defeat is really important and the lads have come back with a good performance in front of a phenomenal crowd, which is really, really pleasing.
"To keep a clean sheet was also huge and I think it was a big game for Fraser in goal after what happened at Leeds - and he came through it really strongly, so I'm delighted for him as well."
Asked if City's climb to fifth in the table had him eyeing a place in the top two automatic promotion slots, Lambert replied: "Why not? Listen, we're only in October and there's an absolute country mile to go but the lads and the crowd have come back really strongly from what happened on the opening day of the season and they deserve unbelievable credit for getting to where we are."
With the news being announced before kick-off that young midfielder Korey Smith has signed a new deal committing himself to Norwich City until 2013, Lambert commented: "He's been terrific. He's only young and I'm sure he'll be the first to say the older players around the Club have really helped him. But he's done really well and I'm sure if he keeps his feet on the floor and continues to learn his trade he will kick on from here."
