A SECOND HALF equaliser from Jamie Cureton saw honours end even in tonight's reserve match with Barnet at Carrow Road.

Coach Ian Crook named a strong starting XI with six players having tasted first team football with the Canaries. The match also gave the Carrow Road faithful a first chance to see Australian defender Adrian Leijer in action following his loan move from Fulham.

City survived an early scare inside the opening 90 seconds when Adam Birchall latched on to a through-ball and found himself one-on-one with City 'keeper Stuart Nelson who blocked the striker's shot with his legs.

Barnet opened the scoring on 16 minutes when central defender Ismail Yakubu powerfully headed home a left-wing corner from Nicky Deverdics.

The Bees almost extended their lead on the half hour mark when Nelson had to be at his best to repel a stinging effort from the lively Birchall, which went behind for a corner.

Before the corner kick could be taken the match saw a bizarre incident when referee Shon Meale was forced in to a change of shirt to avoid a continued colour clash with the visitors.

Four minutes later the visitors had another opportunity to extend their lead when Cliff Akurang found himself unmarked in the six-yard box but his tame header was easily collected by Nelson.

Half-Time: City 0 Barnet 1

Seven minutes in to the second half City drew level as Simon Lappin met Damon Lathrope's corner with a crisp volley that Jamie Cureton diverted home from close range.

The goal appeared to inject new life in to City, who almost took the lead in the 53rd minute as Cureton fed Carney but the Australian's attempted lob failed to beat the advancing Ran Kadoch in the Barnet goal.

Just before the hour mark a good run by Matty Pattison ended with the ball falling to Carney whose well-struck shot from the edge of the area brought a low save out of the diving Kadoch.

On the hour mark goalscorer Jamie Cureton played in Carney down the right who floated the ball towards the back-post where Chris Killen controlled on his chest before firing his shot straight at the visiting 'keeper.

On 62 minutes Ian Crook made his first changes of the evening as former academy players Luke Daley and Kris Renton were introduced to replace David Carney and Chris Killen respectively.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, City had a glorious chance to take the lead when Tom Adeyemi broke in to the Bees' box and slid his effort inches wide of the far post.

Five minutes from time City midfielder Simon Lappin looked to have won the game for Norwich when he curled an exquisite free-kick from the edge of the penalty area on to the angle of crossbar and post and the ball fell to City captain Korey Smith who blazed the rebound over.

Full-Time: City 1 Barnet 1

City: Nelson, Smith (c), Eagle, Leijer (Dumic 68), Stephens, Pattison, Lappin, Lathrope (Kelly 88), Killen (Renton 62), Cureton (Adeyemi 72), Carney (Daley 62). Sub not used: Rudd (GK).

Barnet: Kadoch, Porter, Gillet, Leary, Yakubu (Conceio 62), Smith (Carpenter 80), Medley, Nicolau, Akurang, Birchall, Deverdics (St Aimie 62).

Attendance: 1,128