Report | Norwich City 1-1 Bristol Rovers

Norwich City and Bristol Rovers will be forced to replay their Emirates FA Cup third round tie after a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.

Norwich City and Bristol Rovers will be forced to replay their Emirates FA Cup third round tie after a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.

Ashley Barnes and Grant Ward exchanged goals in six first-half minutes with neither side able to make a further breakthrough.

After an opening where neither team really threatened, the first opportunity would see the Canaries take the lead.

Adam Forshaw's long pass was won well by Onel Hernández, and the Cuban winger found Barnes with the goal at his mercy.

It was close to being two in as many minutes when Borja Sainz flashed an effort past the post immediately after.

Instead, it was the visitors who found the net next when Ward picked out the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

George Long had made a strong save to deny Harvey Vale but was powerless to deny Ward's shot.

Matthew Cox saved well to deny Josh Sargent at his near post in the 19th minute but the away side's compact defence was doing well to keep City largely at bay.

Long was called upon at the other end as the half came to a close, making a stunning save to keep Jevani Brown out before Luke Thomas hammered the rebound against the post.

Both sides had chances to take the lead early in the second half - a brave block from Kellen Fisher would deny Rovers and inadvertently start the move that would lead to a chance for Adam Idah but the half-time substitute couldn't make a connection.

The Republic of Ireland international would have another chance in the 55th minute when he gathered Liam Gibbs' pass 18 yards out but his low drive was off-target.

As Norwich continued to push, the set-piece count began to rack up while Barnes had further attempts. However, he couldn't hit the target with either.

The sides will now replay the tie with fixture details yet to be confirmed.

Norwich City: Long; Fisher (Fassnacht 81), Hanley (C), Batth, Giannoulis; Gibbs, Forshaw (Sørensen 71); Hernández (Rowe 60), Barnes, Sainz; Sargent (Idah h-t).

Unused subs: Ansen, Gibson, McCallum, Płacheta, Warner.

Goals: Barnes (12)

Bristol Rovers: Cox; Grant, Taylor, Crama; Thomas, Finley (C), Ward (McCormick 54), Vale; Evans, Martin, Brown (Collins 81).

Unused subs: Hall, Sinclair, Marquis, Gibbons, Hoole, Shaw.

Goals: Ward (17)

HT: 1-1

FT: 1-1

Referee: Lewis Smith

Venue: Carrow Road

Attendance: 19,848