sport

McCombe hands Robins win at last

McCombe: Earned points for Robins

The Robins defender tucked home Jamie McAllister's free-kick from six yards in the 75th minute to steer his side to only a second win in eight Championship matches.

Norwich were looking to concentrate on matters on the field in a week which saw the FA confirm they are investigating an allegation of match-fixing regarding the home game against Derby on October 4 after reports of irregular betting patterns.

However, their goalscoring problems - they have netted now just twice in six games - were again evident.

Norwich made a bright start and Matthew Pattison, back in the side after injury, had an early shot well blocked by Robins defender Liam Fontaine.

A minute later the home side had a decent chance to take the lead. Michael McIndoe swung over a cross to striker Dele Adebola but he fired his shot wide from six yards.

Visiting goalkeeper David Marshall had to be alert to punch away Fontaine's effort from the edge of the box before Norwich finally forced Robins stopper Adrian Basso into action, the Brazilian pulling off a fine save to keep out French striker Antoine Sibierski's 25-yard drive.

Leroy Lita, who scored 31 league goals in 44 starts at Ashton Gate before a £1million move to Reading, should have put Norwich ahead in the 33rd minute but shot wide from six yards while Lee Trundle saw his effort saved by Marshall just before the break.

McIndoe fired over the bar three minutes after the break before Basso had to be at his brilliant best to thwart Lita from 20 yards in the 58th minute.

Norwich were enjoying a decent spell and Pattison once again let fly from range but once again he failed to hit the target.

But the home side broke the deadlock through McCombe with 15 minutes left and with seven minutes remaining Ivan Sproule, who replaced Adebola six minutes earlier, nearly added a second only to be denied by Marshall from 18 yards.

Norwich manager Glenn Roeder strangely decided to leave striker, and top goalscorer, Arturo Lupoli on the bench - his last change seeing midfielder David Bell replace Lee Croft - as the visitors tried to salvage a point.

But they failed to pressure the Robins defence and in the process Roeder's side suffered a third successive defeat with a clash with new Championship leaders Wolves to come at Carrow Road on Tuesday.