CHRIS LAKEY Norwich City finally ended their away day blues last night and gave hope that all may not be lost this season. Having ended their winless streak at the weekend, City bagged their first away win since a victory at Leicester last April, winning 3-1 at fellow strugglers Blackpool - their first points away from home since the opening day goalless draw at Preston.

CHRIS LAKEY

Norwich City finally ended their away day blues last night and gave hope that all may not be lost this season.

Having ended their winless streak at the weekend, City bagged their first away win since a victory at Leicester last April, winning 3-1 at fellow strugglers Blackpool - their first points away from home since the opening day goalless draw at Preston.

Two goals by Dion Dublin and one from central defender Martin Taylor sent more than 400 traveling fans home happy for the first time in months. But boss Glenn Roeder insists the hard work has just begun.

“There has got to be plenty more of those this year,” he said. “This is just a start - we have had a very, very slow start to the season and we have found ourselves in a real tight spot and we are now gradually, hopefully, getting ourselves out of that tight spot.

“There is no one resting here - I won't let them rest on their laurels and sit back. The hard work has only just begun. Because of the poor start to the season there is a long way to go and we can't afford any slips.”¨

Roeder was furious after the away debacle at Plymouth and said he hoped last night's performance would prove to be some compensation for the fans.

“That is one of the greatest pleasures that I get, sending our own supporters home happy because we were so poor and let them down so badly at Plymouth,” he said. “It was a non-performance, it must have been absolutely awful and that is the least we owed them tonight on a long journey home.”

Having struggled to hide his delight after scoring his maiden City win on Saturday against Coventry, Roeder was equally delighted last night

“It means just as much as winning on Saturday and breaking a losing run,” he said. “Like Saturday it was thoroughly deserved. It was a tough game. Blackpool didn't make it easy for us. They knew how important it was not to lose this game, because of where they are in the table and where we are in the table.

“It was a 'must not lose' game for Blackpool - but they have lost it. They have only won one in the last seven so they have got to be concerned. We feel we are on an upwards curve and we're really looking forward to the game on Saturday at Stoke. We have every reason to be looking forward to it.”¨

At 2-1 up it could have been a different story, with Jon Otsemobor harshly penalized for a challenge in the area, but keeper David Marshall saved well from Wes Hoolahan then stopped the rebound.

But Roeder was upset at referee Mark Haywood's decision.

“The fact of the matter is he shouldn't be having to make a penalty save,” said Roeder. “I looked at it on the video straight away and it is impossible to be a penalty. It is a fantastic challenge by Jon.”