SUPER-SUB Oli Johnson struck a sensational late double to get the Canaries out of jail against battling League One strugglers Southend United at Carrow Road.

On-loan Colchester striker Scott Vernon had shocked City by putting Steve Tilson's side in front in first-half injury time.

On a night when the league leaders had to once again dig deep to come from behind, an inspired double substitution by Paul Lambert proved to be the turning point.

Korey Smith and Johnson added fresh impetus to Norwich's efforts and Johnson equalised on 78 minutes to set up a grandstand finish.

With virtually the last action of a tense evening, Johnson sent the Yellow Army into raptures as he powered a header home from man-of-the match Anthony McNamee's corner.

City started the game brightly and nearly took the lead after just 44 seconds when Stephen Hughes shot inches past the post on his return to the starting line-up.

Chris Martin also had a golden chance to add to his tally for the season on 26 minutes when he spun away from his man brilliantly but placed his shot wide of the far upright from ten yards.

But as the first half progressed the Canaries struggled to maintain their early sparkle and Southend grew in confidence. They stunned Carrow Road by taking the lead when Vernon capitalised on a couple of deflections to fire home into the roof of the net in the dying seconds of the half.

In the second half Martin was denied by Mildenhall diving low to his left to parry his angled drive after Wes Hoolahan passed to him in the box on 65 minutes.

Paul Lambert made a double switch on 68 minutes in an attempt to get the Canaries back into the game, as Simon Lappin and Stephen Hughes made way for Korey Smith and Oli Johnson.

The change paid handsome dividends nine minutes later as Johnson was on hand to sweep home the equaliser from close range, after Mildenhall could only palm Holt's volley from Hoolahan's cross into his path.

And better was to come as Johnson lifted the roof off Carrow Road with a bullet header from Anthony McNamee's corner to claim three precious points deep into injury time.

After the game a relieved Lambert told First News: "I think we've certainly given people value for money entertainment-wise this season! It was a terrific result and the crowd were fantastic again. I'm delighted for them.

"As I've said before they drive us on and to be fair to the lads they gave them something back. Sometimes you have to grind it out and I thought the lads did that again tonight."

On City's saviour Oli Johnson, he commented: "He's done really, really well. His first goal was a case of good striker's instincts after Grant (Holt) has done really well with the first shot. And his second goal was some header. An excellent goal and I'm delighted for him and all of the players."