Derby sub Nathan Ellington gave his manager Paul Jewell something to think about as his goal saw off Norwich.
Ellington on target as Rams make light of Carroll red card
Derby substitute Nathan Ellington gave his manager Paul Jewell something to think about as his winner handed 10-man County a 2-1 win at Norwich.
Canaries goalkeeper Andy Marshall made a horrible mess of a clearance that saw Ellington barely believe his luck, as he tapped into an empty goal from outside the box.
The hosts had drawn level through Sammy Clingan's second-half penalty after Roy Carroll was shown a straight red card for hauling down Leroy Lita in the area.
Derby had dominated prior to the sending-off and deservedly went ahead through Rob Hulse's first-half bullet header.
Davies impresses
Impressive Derby winger Steve Davies had chances to add to the visitors' lead and they seemed to have been made to pay for the misses before Ellington's late strike.
The result extends the Rams' unbeaten run to six games while Norwich remain winless in four.
Canaries manager Glenn Roeder made three changes to the team which lost 2-0 to Southampton on Tuesday, with Adam Drury and Clingan joining debutant Lita in the starting line-up.
Opposite number Jewell also made changes to his side with Lewin Nyatanga and Davies replacing injured centre-back Martin Albrechtsen and Stephen Pearson respectively.
The visitors almost took the lead after eight minutes when Davies, who came off the bench to grab the equaliser against Birmingham on Tuesday, lashed in a powerful shot from the edge of the area which Marshall did brilliantly to keep out.
Davies went close again a few minutes later, sending a shot just wide as the Rams looked to increase their early pressure.
As the half wore on the hosts began to get a stranglehold on play with lively winger Lee Croft looking dangerous going forward.
But just as they looked to carve out goalscoring opportunities Derby took the lead in clinical fashion in the 26th minute.
Hulse took advantage of a cross from Davies to power home a far-post header for his second goal of the season.
Davies came close to doubling Derby's lead just before the break as his inswinging corner was tipped over by Marshall.
The game was turned on its head a couple of minutes after the interval when the hosts were reduced to 10 men and in turn lost their one-goal advantage.
Carroll off
County goalkeeper Carroll was shown his marching orders after he hauled down Lita in the area, and from the resulting spot-kick Clingan slotted past substitute goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.
It was a cruel blow to the visitors who had looked the more likely to add to their advantage prior to the penalty.
City, visibly buoyed by their equaliser, started to create more openings and Croft was unlucky not to score when his shot forced Bywater into a fantastic save.
But County kept plugging away and got their reward five minutes from time with Ellington's strike.
