Norwich talisman Darren Huckerby accentuated the positives after New Year's Day defeat at Crystal Palace.

Norwich talisman Darren Huckerby accentuated the positives after New Year's Day defeat at Crystal Palace.

The 30-year-old insisted Peter Grant's side could build on Monday's frustrating 3-1 reverse as they bid to pull away from the lower reaches of the Championship.

“I thought first half was the best we have played for a long time and we end up going in 3-1 down,” he said. “The first 25 minutes they didn't get in our half. We hit the bar, their keeper made three or four good saves, we got lots of balls into the box and they didn't get a touch.”

Huckerby accepted Norwich paid a heavy price for failing to convert their early dominance.

Eagles' duo Mark Hudson and ex-Ipswich frontman Shefqi Kuqi nudged Peter Taylor's men in front. Rob Earnshaw's 17th of the campaign handed the visitors a lifeline before Stuart Green's stoppage time strike left Norwich a mountain to climb.

“It felt like they went into our half twice and we ended up 2-0 down,” said Huckerby. “We got back into it with a penalty and then within a minute and a half they are 3-1 up. We gave ourselves too much to do.

“We put them on the back foot the whole game. We created chance after chance but gave ourselves too much to do. You can't come to places like Palace and expect to win games if every time they have a chance they look like they are going to score.”

Grant admitted his side's defensive display contributed to their Selhurst Park downfall.

“I can't believe we lost the game,” he said, “We should have got three points because that's what the performance deserved. We have to be more ruthless in the opposition box and we gave simple goals away from mistakes from us and you can't legislate for that.

“The first time they go up the pitch they score and a minute later they score again. After the break I don't think they were in our half - that summed up the game.”