CHRIS LAKEY Norwich match winner Darren Huckerby kept his side of the bargain to clinch a notable Norfolk sporting double over the Potteries.

CHRIS LAKEY

Norwich match winner Darren Huckerby kept his side of the bargain to clinch a notable Norfolk sporting double over the Potteries.

Keen fight fan Huckerby watched Jon Thaxton dismantle Stoke's Scott Lawton to retain his British lightweight title in front a 2,000 strong Norfolk Showground crowd on Friday night.

Thaxton urged Huckerby to repeat his Birmingham midweek heroics in the champion's post-fight interview and City's showman duly obliged - blowing a huge hole in Stoke's playoff push with his 12th goal of the season.

“Yeah, I saw the fight on television and he did really well,” said Huckerby. “I've seen him in the gym before working towards fights. I know how hard boxers work and he thoroughly deserves the glory towards the end of his career. He's worked hard all his life and he's getting the rewards.”

City's player-of-the-season elect is also earning his fair share of praise after another devastating link up with young target man Chris Martin.

The deadly duo has now struck seven times in the last seven - with the senior partner predicting more to come.

“We play in a strange formation,” said Huckerby. “I drift to the left when I want to and the manager is happy with that. It was a lovely back heel and a nice finish. Just before the goal we'd got our wires crossed. I tried a one two and he had made a run but the second time it worked perfectly. At the minute it's working. I'm just happy to be playing well and chipping in. I don't really keep tabs on how many I score - you lot keep telling me. Chris has been scoring a few goals, so I'm happy to be getting one or two.”

The 30-year-old insisted Norwich were full value for a second consecutive win over another Championship promotion hopeful.

“I thought we dominated the game really,” he said. “I didn't play in the game at their place but I know the lads had a hard time so it was more than sweet. Shacks had a great header after we scored - God knows what he is doing with the follow up. It fell to his right foot and it was probably his new hair cut - maybe a bit off balance.

“I had another chance in the second half when I should have maybe took it on but tried to lift it over the keeper. We needed to win a few 1-0 games, so we'll take that. The clean sheet is a boost. We had none for four months and then knock out two in a week. It shows we can do it and we need to do it more often.”

Huckerby plans to put his feet up over the international break but City's red hot attacker wants no let up when the Canaries resume Championship hostilities at Colchester.

“This has been a tough couple of weeks and I feel I need a break - I'm getting on a bit now,” he said. “It's always nice to go into a break with a victory, especially after this week. We've had a brilliant week and we need to keep it going when we come back. I'd like to say we're safe but we want to keep winning games.”