Roeder in at the deep end in fiery derby

Four goals, near misses at both ends, magnificent saves, five bookings and a straight red card for Darren Huckerby peppered a game the outcome of which was in doubt from first minute to last.

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Out of the mayhem on a Sunday lunchtime it was Roeder's coolheaded instructions to half-time substitute John Hartson which paved the way for a thrilling Norwich comeback.

A team who have felt sorry for themselves since August — they remain three points adrift at the foot of the Championship — drew inspiration from Roeder and Hartson's lumbering presence to offer a glimpse of a brighter future.

A classic derby rumble in which the passion boiled over just once — in injury-time when Huckerby disgracefully raked his studs down Jonathan Walters' right shin — ended with both sets of fans entitled to feel sore that their side had not won but grateful amid the exhilaration that they had not lost.

Ipswich manager Jim Magilton said: "It was pretty entertaining. Had everything, didn't it? It's our little part of the world and we're very proud of it. The half-time score could have been anything."

In fact, Ipswich led 2-0 at the interval. Their first was a goal of stunning simplicity.

A long kick out from keeper Neil Alexander was flicked on by Alan Lee.

The ball landed at the feet of Pablo Counago, whose instant control and measured return pass allowed Lee to slide his low shot beyond the reach of David Marshall.

The Norwich response was immediate. But as so often happens to teams in trouble, ill fortune reared its head when Jason Shackell rose to meet a Huckerby cross only for the ball to strike the base of a post and bounce away to safety.

The point was reinforced when Ipswich extended their lead after 40 minutes.

Lee hit a poor free-kick and was lucky the ball squirted out of a crowd to Billy Clarke.

Marshall blocked the midfielder's shot, but as the ball appeared to be bouncing out for a corner, Clarke hooked it across goal to give Counago a simple tap-in.

From Roeder to director Delia Smith, from players to fans, Norwich shook their heads.

At least Dion Dublin's hamstring strain gave his manager the opportunity to introduce Hartson.

He is overweight and overpaid according to West Brom, who are desperate to offload his £17,000-a-week wages.

and the Welshman could barely jump off the ground. Yet using him as a troublesome target man proved a masterstroke.

The beneficiary was Jamie Cureton, whose first-half misses belied his reputation as one of the most prolific goalscorers outside the Premier League last season.

But Cureton's refusal to dwell on his own hopelessness mirrored his team's refusal to lose.

After Martin Taylor had stooped for a header which reduced the deficit after 55 minutes, Cureton latched onto a Hartson flick to lift his shot deftly beyond the reach of the outstanding Alexander.

Roeder said: "I've really missed not being involved in football these past five months.

"It was very satisfying that the boys put in so much effort.

"What wasn't so satisfying was that the effort they put in and the skill they showed didn't take all three points."

Both sides might have snatched a winner — Hartson had a volley pawed away by Alexander, Marshall thwarted Danny Haynes with equal brilliance — but defeat would have been cruel for either.