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Round-up: Steer has Canaries on course

 

Geoff Brown
Sunday 29 January 2012 01:00 GMT
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Norwich City are in the FA Cup Fifth Round for the first time in five years earning the right with a 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion, the same scoreline as their Premier League win there two weeks ago.

Grant Holt's ninth goal of the season just after the half-hour set the Canaries on their way when a quick counter-attack saw the striker turn in Elliott Bennett's low cross. Marc-Antoine Fortune levelled early in the second-half, but when Albion defender Craig Dawson lost possession, Simeon Jackson fired in the winner.

Paul Lambert, the Norwich manager, reserved most praise for his 19-year-old goalkeeper, Jed Steer. "I thought his saves were world class. He was terrific. His handling was brilliant."

In a Fourth Round of few shocks, Sheffield Wednesday of League One earned a home replay after a 1-1 draw at Championship Blackpool, and were only denied a win by Kevin Phillips' injury-time penalty. Clinton Morrison had given the Owls the lead with a near-post strike early in the second-half.

Sheffield United, also of League One, were far less bothersome to Championship opposition than their neighbours, Adam Rooney scoring two in Birmingham City's 4-0 away win.

Gary Smith, who coached Colorado Rapids to the US Major Soccer League title in 2010, had a generous introduction to his new job as manager of Stevenage Borough. An own goal by Notts County's Damion Stewart earned Boro a 1-0 win in the all-League One tie at Broadhall Way and a first-ever place in the Fifth round.

Championship

Bristol City's David James saved two penalties at the Madejski Stadium but couldn't stop Jason Roberts bundling in the rebound after the first on his Reading debut as the Royals moved up to fourth after a 1-0 win. Robins had Louis Carey sent off.

Days after being served with a winding-up order, Portsmouth briefly shrugged off all financial woes to win 3-0 at Peterborough, Erik Huseklepp scoring twice. "A lot of rubbish has gone on off the field so that makes the result and performance that much sweeter," manager Michael Appleton said.

League One

Charlton Athletic stretched their lead to nine points after a 1-0 win at Exeter City while Huddersfield Town, second, could only draw 1-1 at Tranmere Rovers, but Terrier Jordan Rhodes' 29th goal of the season might draw fresh bids before Tuesday night's transfer deadline.

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