Well, it has been a long time coming, but when it did, by gosh it was a thriller.

In contrast to recent seasons, Norwich City has showed the better performances to the travelling away supporters.

And they deserve it, after what has passed for a Saturday afternoon's entertainment in the past.

At least, when I was a regular away traveller it certainly seemed that way.

Playing host to Championship leaders, Queens Park Rangers, after holding them to a no-score draw at Loftus Road, the Londoners came with war paint adorned and hackles bristling.

City did well to withstand the initial onslaught until, after just 10 minutes the enigma that is right back Russell Martin netted a real pearler of a shot to score only his second Canary goal.

A game full of, shall we say, typical Neil Warnock gamesmanship followed with referee Jon Moss reluctant to give very much Norwich City's way, although he was called upom to show a straight red to Matthew Connolly, who was the last defender when he brought Grant Holt down after the striker wrong footed him in about five minutes of the restart.

The Rs closest reply was a rebound off the post by Patrick Angyeman, who Warnock introduced from the subs' bench after half time. With 16 minutes left on the clock Angyeman's header struck the woodwork and caught the breath of around 26,000 City supporters.

Where tha Fourth Official found four minutes from to add on after the 90 were up is anybody's guess. Some wag near me suggested that it fell out of Warnock's pocket as he remonstrated with anybody who would listen as defeat seemed inevitable.

With just one point separating Norwich City from Swansea in second place, with a game in hand, eyes are surely starting to look up with more confidence.

Photo: Action Images

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