City boss Paul Lambert hailed the Canary character after Gary Doherty’s injury time equaliser salvaged a point in the 3-3 draw at Yeovil.
But despite the glee on the travelling supporters’ faces, the Scot hinted that he wasn’t entirely satisfied.
And after conceding three goals to a team in the bottom half of League One, I don’t suppose you would be.
The Glovers took a first half lead when ex-Ipswich man Dean Bowditch headed in a Ryan Mason corner in a drab opening half.
But, slightly against the run of play, Chrissy Martin tapped home Grant Holt’s cross to level after 60 minutes.
And that goal signalled an incredible 10 minute spell in which City then took the lead through a thumping Doherty header, only for the Huish Park outfit to go up the other end and equalise after Shaun McDonald struck from the edge of the box.
Jon Obika’s header looked to have won it with 91 minutes on the clock but Doherty claimed his second and City’s third by deflecting in Russell Martin’s shot.
And Lambert praised his team’s spirit, even though the players ‘knew his thoughts on it’ after the final whistle.
“I’m delighted we never stopped going,” he told BBC Radio Norfolk. “I always think if you can pick up points away from home and take care of your home games you’ll be round about it.
“We showed a terrific attitude and never gave it up so I’m delighted to get a point. But at the same time, I’m disappointed we haven’t got three.”
And when asked if it felt like a victory after Doherty’s dramatic leveller, his reply was straight and to the point.
“Probably not. They know my thoughts on it. But as I said, it was a battling performance, terrific spirit and they are a group of lads who keep going for you.”
One thing you can say about this current City side is that they never know when they’re beaten. The Canaries have salvaged a point in time added on three times now after Charlton (h) and Gillingham (a) failed to hang on for the win.
“I’m delighted with the lads’ attitude, it takes big players away from home to keep going and give them credit where it’s due, it was a battling performance.
“We did OK in spells today but one thing I will say about these lads is that we’ve got a terrific spirit – that’s one thing we’ll never lack. We showed today that we keep going – good teams do.”
The last-gasp draw in south Somerset put the Canaries back up to third after Colchester moved above them, albeit briefly, with a 2-1 win at Brighton on Friday night.
City did, however, slip further behind Charlton after the Addicks enjoyed a 2-1 success at Stockport County.
But the Norwich chief isn’t too fussed about league tables just yet. There’s a long, long way to go – it’s not even Christmas after all.
“There’s miles to go, it’s not until May that it’s decided, but it puts us back up there and keeps the run going, and undefeated in how many, so I’m delighted with what the lads have done.”
The Canaries will return to the south of England for Tuesday night’s JPT area semi-final at Alan Pardew’s in-form Southampton.
And the good news was that there were no new major injury concerns ahead of the St Mary’s clash – although there might be a niggle here and there.
“We might have one or two little knocks in there but we’ll have to wait and see who’s OK.”
Tom Haylett
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