A PENALTY save from Fraser Forster on his return to City's starting line-up was enough to secure the Canaries' passage through to the area semi-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
The on-loan Newcastle United goalkeeper denied Swindon's Craig Easton in last night's penalty shoot-out at the County Ground, after the opening 90 minutes had failed to produce a goal. With all of City's spot kicker's registering their efforts, the Canaries eventually went through 5-3 on penalties.
Forster was pleased with his contribution and that of his team-mates: "I guessed right," he said. "It was a pretty soft penalty, but it was just nice to save one.
"I think it's one of them when you're a 'keeper you're not really expected to save anything, but if you do save something, you're a bit of a hero. I'm just happy to save one. But the lad's penalties were absolutely brilliant. So that's much easier if everyone scores, it takes the pressure right off."
The 21-year-old admitted that team preparation hadn't involved penalty practice, but determination and commitment had spurred them on into the next round. "The lads to be fair, we haven't practiced anything, so the lads have just gone up there and put them away, which is what you need in that situation," he said.
"I thought we defended well all night to be fair and we were unlucky not to get a chance to score and just make it 1-0. But the team has changed quite a bit for tonight's game and I thought all the lads did brilliantly."
He continued: "There was a massive team contribution all over the pitch, I thought the lads defended and got forward as a team - so really a good team performance. And when under pressure at the end, we hung on and I don't think really looked like conceding."
PUNCHING CLEAR: Fraser Forster punches away
a cross at the County Ground last night
A Wembley final awaits the winners of the area competitions on March 28, but Forster says the Canaries are not looking that far ahead: "We don't really think about Wembley yet. It's just that we want to win every game we play in and all the lads are that professional that everyone wants to win.
"It's nice for some of the lads who don't play week in, week out to play to show what they can do, to give the manager a bit of a selection headache ahead of the weekend. It's another victory and another clean sheet, and it keeps the lad's confident and hopefully we can take that on into Saturday's game as well."
Forster returned in goal after missing Saturday's FA Cup win over Paulton Rovers, as he was ineligible under the terms of his loan agreement. Declan Rudd kept a clean sheet in that game and competition is building, with both 'keepers putting in good performances in the City goal.
"It's good," said Forster. "I love the pressure of having another good goalkeeper. I think it helps us both push hard in training. We get on well and share a room together and it's nice to have the competition."
City's next game is this Saturday at Carrow Road against Tranmere Rovers (3pm). Tickets are available by logging on to online ticketing, by calling 0844 826 1902, or visiting the Carrow Road ticket office or the Canary Store in the Mall, Norwich.
