NORWICH CITY are back in the Championship.

Defender Michael Nelson headed home the only goal of a tense game at The Valley to take the three points required from promotion rivals Charlton - and with Swindon drawing 1-1 at home to Walsall, City are assured of a place in the top two.

With Leeds slumping to a 3-2 reverse away to Gillingham, the Canaries now require just one point from next Saturday's Carrow Road clash with the Gills to clinch the Coca-Cola League One title.

A defiant defensive display - aided by some more top-class goalkeeping from Fraser Forster - was enough to send the 3,200 members of the Yellow Army back to Norfolk in party mood.

City boss Paul Lambert said he was pleased for everyone connected with the Club, especially the fans, who endured relegation at this same venue in May last year.

He told First News: "That was our objective when we came in and the lads have been absolutely great, every game they've given every effort and some top-class performances and those people behind me are just phenomenal and I'm delighted for everybody connected with the Football Club. To come back here where they were relegated last year and with some key players out I'm just delighted, absolutely delighted.

"If I was them I'd milk it, because of the desperation of last season and the horrible feeling of it and it's nice to give them something back for their efforts - for them and the players I'm absolutely delighted."

Asked if he felt today's achievement was possible when he first took over a troubled Norwich City in August 2009, he replied: "I knew I had to turn it around because of the fanbase - if you don't get a Club like this going with the fanbase you're always under a bit of pressure, especially with the expectancy levels on you.

"We were never favourites to go up because the squad had changed and Leeds were strong and Charlton were up there so it was really, really tough. Am I surprised we've done it? Probably a little bit but I had great belief that if I could get the fans on my side I knew I had a chance."

The second half was a nail-biting affair as Charlton threw the kitchen sink at Lambert's side in their own desperate quest to bounce back out of League One at the first time of asking. 

"They bombarded us with everything going, but we looked resolute and strong, put bodies into defence and Fraser was in inspiring form - and as a group and as a whole I thought we were outstanding.

"I'm delighted for everybody and I'm sure the City of Norwich will be pretty busy tonight!"

Lambert made some changes to his starting line-up following Tuesday's disappointing defeat at Orient, with Stephen Hughes in for the injured Korey Smith and Michael Spillane making his first start since October in place of Stephen Elliott.

Spillane started at right-back with Russell Martin pushing up to right midfield and Hughes sitting in the centre with Darel Russell.

The opening exchanges were even with neither side creating any chances of note in the first quarter of an hour.

When the first opportunity did arrive it fell to the home side, Charlton skipper Nicky Bailey racing clear on the left in the 21st minute before drilling a low shot towards the far corner which Fraser Forster did well to tip wide at full stretch.

Two minutes later the Canaries had the ball in the back of the net when Hughes nodded in Lappin's cross from close range - but the celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee flagging for offside against the City midfielder.

In the 28th minute Hughes was a whisker away from finding the net again, this time toeing a bouncing ball into the danger area from Russell Martin inches over the bar.

City were getting into their stride at this point and Simon Lappin was the next to go close for the visitors, controlling the ball on the edge of the area before hooking a shot goalwards that Randolph just managed to palm wide.

But the Canaries were not to be denied and sent the 3,200 members of the Yellow Army in the Jimmy Seed Stand - and the 1,200-plus watching at Carrow Road - into ecstacy as they took the lead in the 34th minute.

Lappin stepped up to take the corner his shot had earned - and his pinpoint flag-kick was met by the towering figure of Michael Nelson, rising at the back post to head home from six yards.

As the temperature raised Adam Drury was booked for what looked like a 50-50 challenge with Addicks skipper Bailey in the 39th minute.

A minute before half-time Charlton made the game's first substitution, Deon Burton coming on for Akpo Sodje, who was presumably injured.

Charlton again came close - and again were denied by the excellence of Fraser Forster, who dived smartly to his left to tip away Bailey's angled shot in first-half injury time.

The home side started brightly after the break and yet again Fraser Forster came to City's rescue, palming away substitute Burton's glancing header from Nicky Forster's cross in the 49th minute.

As the game approached the hour-mark Stephen Hughes picked up City's second booking as he challenged Lloyd Samon the edge of the visitors' area. From the resulting free-kick Bailey was denied for the third time by Forster, who watched his accurate effort carefully and used both hands to shove it away from danger.

In the 64th minute Lambert made a tactical switch, Michael Rose coming on for Oli Johnson and City shifting to a 4-5-1 formation, Rose slotting in on the left in front of Drury and Lappin moving inside.

In the 68th minute Nicky Forster tested his City namesake Fraser with a curling cross under the bar which the Norwich 'keeper was forced to tip behind.

With 18 minutes to go Charlton boss Phil Parkinson made another change, bringing on Kyel Read for Jose Semedo.

In the 77th minute Fraser Forster was booked by referee Andy Hall for time-wasting and less than two minutes later Chris Martin joined him in the notebook for a challenge on Racon in the centre circle.

As the game entered the last eight minutes Parkinson made his last change, Jonjo Shelvey replacing skipper Nicky Bailey.

City survived the last bombardment from the home side, which included 'keeper Randolph coming up for a free-kick in stoppage time, after Spillane was booked on a foul on Reid. However, the Addicks decided to play it short and City dispossessed them and the danger passed.

At the final whistle as news filtered through that Swindon had bee held at home to Walsall the Canary players and staff celebrated in front of the jubilent Yellow Army as promotion back to the Championship was confirmed.