A WINNING goal on his debut from on-loan defender Michael Rose clinched a 2-1 victory and secured all three points for City in front 25,506, the biggest crowd of the season at Carrow Road.

The Canaries had to work hard for their 11th consecutive home league win, a new Club record during a single season

Battling visitors Hartlepool enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and stunned a packed stadium by taking the lead in the 26th minute, when Neil Austin drilled home a low effort from 25 yards which gave Fraser Forster no chance.

But the goal only served to prompt an instant and devastating response as City hit two goals in the next six minutes to turn the match on its head.

First within a minute of the restart Russell Martin found space on the right to whip in a cross which Cody McDonald met with a superb header to beat Pools 'keeper Flinders.

SUPERMAC - Cody McDonald celebrates his goal

Then five minutes later they took the lead as Chris Martin's reverse pass found Rose storming into the box on the left and he unleashed a fierce drive which flashed past Flinders at his near post.

In the second half City were once again indebted to Forster, as he pulled off a great save with his legs to deny Denis Behan when the Pools striker was clean through on goal on 58 minutes.

After the game City boss Paul Lambert told First News: "It was a tough, tough game. I knew it would be after a hard win over Brentford last Saturday, then Walsall on Tuesday and then having to go again today.

"Hartlepool have gone in front and they are a hard-working side. But we got a great response from Cody's goal straight away to put us back into the game and then Michael 's scored a terrific goal."

Lambert admitted his players were feeling a bit of tiredness after a gruelling week but paid tribute to the bumper Carrow Crowd for helping them to stick to the task at hand: "You've got to remember we've got a really great crowd here and they drive us on and again I thought they were terrific."

On beating the Club record for consecutive home league wins in a season, with today being the 11th the Canaries have gained, Lambert said: "It's phenomenal what the lads here have done, they're the ones who deserve a hell of a lot of credit."

On match-winner Michael Rose, he said: "I thought's he's done great. He's only just come in and he's been given a start straight away and played well and got a goal, so I'm delighted for him."