A goal two minutes before full-time from Norwich City's man of the match Seb Muddel gave the Canaries a well deserved share of the points against runaway league leaders Southampton at Colney on Saturday. With Rossi Jarvis on the bench at Molineux, Andrew Cave-Brown was drafted into the centre of defence alongside Matthew Halliday and with Joe Lewis sidelined with injury, Steven Arnold was starting his second consecutive under 18's game. City had a great opportunity in the opening 16 seconds when Glen Thrale slipped the ball through the Saints defence for Chris Martin to unleash a fierce shot that Andrew McNeal could only parry. City continued to press forward, this time it was the turn of Muddel to test the visitors keeper and once again McNeal could only parry the shot.

Jamie Eames plays forward

Steve Arnold gathers the ball

Meanwhile at the other end it was the woodwork that came to City's rescue with Josh Mulvany seeing his 25-yard effort crash against the Canaries' crossbar. The visitors continued to threaten with David McGoldrick firing an angled drive across the face of the goal, while shortly before the break the same player blasted a free-kick over the crossbar. Right at the start of the second half City could count themselves unlucky not to have opened the scoring when a Robert Eagle cross was picked up by Jamie Eames and his shot looked a certain goal all the way, until it was deflected wide off a Saints defender. With the game approaching the hour mark it was Southampton who broke the deadlock when McGoldrick picked the ball up in the centre circle and proceeded to carve his way through the City defence before beating Arnold with a low angled drive.

Southampton continued to have the upper hand and Arnold needed to be alert to make a good save from the head of Adam Lallana. David Williams introduced Bally Smart into attack and his pace immediately caused the visitors defence all sorts of problems when he raced clear to cross for Muddel but somehow his side-footed effort was turned round the post by McNeal. However with just two minutes of normal time left it was this same combination that finally gave the Canaries the goal their players richly deserved. Once again Smart raced clear of his marker before crossing for Muddel, who this time put the ball beyond the reach of the Saints keeper.

Robert Eagle covers

City Line-Up: Arnold, Bexfield, Gusterson (El Ouargui 90), Cave-Brown, Halliday, Howlett (Spillane 70), Eames (Smart 61), Thrale, Martin, Muddel, Eagle. Sub not used: Smith. Top Canary: Seb Muddel.

Further Action From The Match
Chris Martin in the air	Andrew Cave-Brown tracks back
Lee Howlett gets added to a christmas card list	City Man of the Match Seb Muddel
Jamie Eames in action	Steve Arnold punches clear
Report and Pictures are courtesy of John Landamore and The Pink-Un.