SECOND-HALF strikes from Darel Russell and Michael Nelson ended the stubborn resistance of Gillingham and confirmed Norwich City as Coca-Cola League One champions in front of a packed and jubilant Carrow Road.

Darel Russell broke the deadlock in the 74th minute with a curling effort in off the bar for his second goal of the season - ironically his first was in the reverse fixture at the Priestfield Stadium.

And the hero of last weekend's win at The Valley, Michael Nelson, was in the right place at the right time again to net with a thumping 83rd-minute header from Simon Lappin's corner to cement the three points.

After the game there were great scenes as the squad and coaching staff acknowledged and thanked the supporters for their fantastic backing for the Club this season.

City boss Paul Lambert said: "I'm so delighted for the players and the fans, it's been an amazing turnaround when you consider they only had one point from their first three games when we started.

"The lads have been magnificent throughout, I can't praise them highly enough for what they've achieved and they fully deserve the plaudits. The fans too, they've been incredible, it doesn't matter whether you're home or away, they are there in huge numbers and making loads of noise.

"The scenes after the game today were brilliant but I think it will really sink in properly when we lift the trophy. I'm really looking forward to that because I think it will be a special moment for everyone at the Club."

Before the game the Carrow Road crowd gave a warm ovation to servicemen from the Royal Anglians, Light Dragoons and RAF Marham as they lined up on the pitch to welcome both sets of players. The soldiers and air force personnel had been invited by the Norwich City Board to attend today's game in recognition of the continuing efforts and sacrifices of the Armed Forces in conflicts abroad.

A contingent of Royal Anglians then led the communal signing of On The Ball City as the fans geared up for what they hoped would be the game that confirmed some silverware for the Canaries.

But despite the party atmosphere in the build-up, the game itself was slow in getting going and neither goal was seriously threatened until the 16th minute, when Chris Martin tried his luck with a curling 22-yard free-kick which flew just over the bar.

Within the space of a minute he had another chance, this time chesting down a long ball from Korey Smith well before dragging an angled shot narrowly wide of the far post.

In the 28th minute Anthony McNamee's corner was only cleared as far as Darel Russell, but his first-time shot from 18 yards was wide of the target as City continued to find goal-scoring opportunities at a premium.

After an uneventful first half, Lambert responded by making a change at the interval, Stephen Elliott coming on to replace McNamee.

Within a couple of minutes of the restart Chris Martin cut inside his man well from the right of the Gills area but pulled his low shot a couple of feet wide of the near post.

At the other end the visitors had the best opening of the game so far as Dennis Oli raced into the City area and shot goalwards only to be denied by a fine save from Fraser Forster, parrying the ball and allowing Doherty to hoof clear.

And in the 57th minute Forster was called into action again as Howe jinked in along the byeline before teeing up Oli and his bobbling effort from seven yards forced a smart stop from the on-loan Newcastle 'keeper.

Two minutes later John Nutter's cross eventually fell to Danny Jackman but he sliced his shot from the edge of the area a few feet wide of the upright.

City skipper Holt nearly carved out a goal for himself in the 63rd minute, nodding Spillane's deep ball down into space and then cracking a right-foot half-volley narrowly wide.

Lambert then made his second change of the match, bringing on Simon Lappin for Stephen Hughes on the left-hand side of midfield.

But as the game entered the 74th minute City at last took the lead to get one hand on the League One trophy.

Substitute Stephen Elliot's glancing header seemed to be blocked by the out-stretched arm of defender Darren Dennehy - but while the Norwich fans were still appealing play continued and the ball eventually came to Darel Russell.

From 22 yards out the City midfielder hit a superb curling effort which bounced down off the crossbar with 'keeper Julian well beaten. Gillingham desperately hacked the ball away but the assistant referee on the City Stand touchline signalled what TV replays soon confirmed - that the ball had comfortably crossed the line.

As the game entered the final ten minutes Michael Nelson was booked for a foul on Howe, although the referee had already given a free-kick to City for a foul by the Gills player on Rose.

Within two minutes however, the Canaries doubled their advantage through that man Michael Nelson. It was virtually a carbon copy of his priceless goal at the Valley last weekend, as he met a sweet Lappin corner with a thunderous downwards header which bulged the net from six yards out.

With under five minutes left, leading scorer Grant Holt left the pitch to a standing ovation as he was replaced by Oli Johnson.