Norwich's combative midfielder Dickson Etuhu suffered a sweet and sour derby day experience.Etuhu ghosted into the box to head the Canaries ahead against arch rivals Ipswich from Darren Huckerby's pinpoint cross in the opening stages at Carrow Road - his third in five matches.

Norwich's combative midfielder Dickson Etuhu suffered a sweet and sour derby day experience.

Etuhu ghosted into the box to head the Canaries ahead against arch rivals Ipswich from Darren Huckerby's pinpoint cross in the opening stages at Carrow Road - his third in five matches.

Former City loan recruit David Wright pounced with a scruffy 62nd minute equaliser for the Tractor Boys after Norwich failed to capitalise on a pulsating start.

City have now edged just one of the last four derby duels since clinching Premiership promotion in 2004.

Peter Grant's men also remain a point adrift of their East Anglian neighbours in the Championship table with two matches left against play off chasing Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday.

“We need to beat them next season,” said the Nigerian powerhouse, who exited Carrow Road clutching the man of the match champagne. “The lads really, really wanted this one badly and we're already looking forward to those games. We started so well, got the early goal, and they weren't in it.

“It was a hot day out there but I thought we we're doing okay until they scored. We felt it was a bad goal to give away and the boys are down. We were on the back foot at that stage but we still created a few chances late on.”

Etuhu arrived on cue to bullet a near post header past Shane Supple after Huckerby had picked out the marauding midfielder in a carbon copy of the duo's Hull link up earlier this month.

City's goal scorer was inches from doubling his personal tally when he brushed the side netting from Mark Fotheringham's teasing corner before smashing over a long range shot in a dominant opening burst.

“Yeah, I did have a few other chances but I can't dwell on that,” he said. “You put it down to being unlucky and move onto the next game. Hucks' is a great player and it was a great ball for the goal. That link up has worked a couple of times now.”

Etuhu reserved special praise for young midfield ally Michael Spillane and second half arrival Chris Martin after the fearless youngsters sampled their first white hot derby atmosphere.

“They're good players who are showing everyone they are turning into men,” he said. “The gaffer is bringing them along, coaching them well, and you never know they could be stars of the future.”