Roeder - Win was reward

Canaries boss thrilled with last-gasp success

Last updated: 25th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Roeder - Win was reward

Roeder and match-winner Lita

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Glenn Roeder felt Norwich City's late win over Doncaster was reward for playing until the final whistle.

Antoine Sibierski cancelled out Brian Stock's penalty for Rovers before Leroy Lita injury-time effort that snatched all three points for The Canaries.

The win moves Norwich four points clear of the drop zone while Rovers remain second from bottom with just two wins from their 13 Championship matches this season.

"I think there were one or two tired players out there, and there were certainly some flat performances. I think it was a slight reaction to the way we played against Wolves," explained Roeder.

"I have to accept that we didn't play well but what I will praise is the way the players kept going right to the final whistle.

Credit

"Doncaster deserved some credit for the way they made it so difficult for us, just as they did at Reading in midweek. When you're down at the bottom it's easy to resort to the horrible long-ball game but they kept passing the ball around and made it hugely difficult for us.

"But full credit to my players, they have battled right the way to the final whistle and in the end they have got their reward."

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll believes the result was systematic of their season so far following promotion from League One last season.

"That sums up the story of our season so far," he said.

"To be fair to Norwich they moved the ball about well in the first half and put us under some pressure but we weathered the storm and I thought we did really well in the second half.

Brilliance

"After we had got our noses in front I couldn't see Norwich getting back into the game unless there was a moment of brilliance or a slice of luck - and unfortunately for us they got a lucky break.

"I actually thought we reacted well after conceding but then we went and switched off at the wrong time and they got a second.

"I said beforehand I didn't want to lose a goal to a Sibierski flick and a Lita finish and that's exactly what happened. It's very disappointing.

"It was a similar story on Reading on Tuesday when we ran them close only to lose 2-1.

"I don't think there's a lot more we could have done in the last two games and yet we haven't picked up a single point."