Norwich City’s Under-23s could compete in the play-offs for promotion to Premier League 2 Division One, despite Friday night’s 2-0 defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Canaries knew ahead of the game they had to finish fifth or higher in the table, and were helped by Burnley’s defeat to Fulham.
Norwich can now only miss out on the play-offs if seventh-placed Southampton, who are three points behind, improve their goal difference by 11 when they play Sunderland on Sunday.
Wolves took the lead almost straight from kick-off, crossing in from the right wing for Lee Harkin to head into the bottom right corner.
City had their first chance of the game when Tony Springett's cross from the left wing found Abu Kamara. He couldn't get the ball under control, but it did fall for Liam Gibbs, who shimmied onto his left foot and struck high and wide.
The Canaries ought to have equalised in the 35th minute, Gibbs beating his man on the right and crossing for Clarke, who hit the crossbar from close range.
Against the run of play, Wolves made it 2-0 on the brink of half-time, left-back Hugo Bueno racing down the left wing and firing into the bottom right corner, despite Lewis Shipley's best efforts to get across and block.
Joe Rose made a good save early in the second half to deny Owen Hesketh, who had been picked out by Jack Hodnett.
Hodnett then went through on goal himself courtesy of Harvey Griffiths' through ball, but Sean Stewart timed his sliding challenge well to keep the score to 2-0.
In stoppage time, Stewart shot wide of the near post after cutting in from the left wing.
Norwich City U23s XI: Rose; Mumba (Thorn 90+1), Tomkinson (C), Shipley, Stewart; Gibbs, Earley (Giurgi 78), Adshead (Brooke 86); Clarke, Kamara, Springett
Subs not used: Berry, Hills
Goals:
Bookings: Springett (75), Earley (75)
Wolverhampton Wanderers U23s XI: Arinbjornsson, Birtwistle, Bueno (Lembikisa 46), Tipton, Marques, Hubner, Hesketh, Griffiths, Harkin, Perry (Hodge 46), Hodnett (Shabani 71)
Subs not used: Nya, Roberts
Goals: Harkin (1), Bueno (45)
Bookings: Harkin (39)
HT: 0-2
Venue: Carrow Road