A fine debut goal by Norway international Alex Tettey was enough to book Norwich City a place in the last 16 of the Capital One Cup on a night Carrow Road paid tribute to long-serving former manager John Bond.

Before kick-off, a crowd of nearly 14,000 stood for a minute's silence in memory of former Norwich boss Bond, following the news of his death at the age of 79. Both sides wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

Bond was one of four managers to take the Canaries to the final of the League Cup, back in 1975, and they moved into the fourth round of the competition for the first time since 1995-96 by disposing of League One side Rovers.

Tettey struck in the 26th minute with a superb curling effort that flew in off the post and though Rovers' Gary Woods was much the busier of the two goalkeepers, there was no addition to the score in a game that faded considerably in the second period after a lively first half.

Manager Chris Hughton named a completely different starting eleven from the defeat at Newcastle on Sunday, with debuts for goalkeeper Mark Bunn and midfield pair Tettey and Jacob Butterfield.

Defender Elliott Ward, not included in the squad of 25 for Premier League duty, was also in the side, while Hughton fielded three strikers in skipper Grant Holt, Chris Martin and on-loan Harry Kane.

Teenager Josh Murphy was included in the senior squad for the first time as one of seven substitutes.

For Doncaster, former Norwich striker Chris Brown, with four goals so far this season, was on the bench.

Kane signalled his intent with a left-foot shot that flashed wide in only the third minute.

Chris Martin was in trouble early on after a foul by Quinn but was able to hobble on without treatment.

Tettey let fly from long range after 11 minutes to enliven proceedings, but his effort cleared the angle of post and bar.

Bunn was called into action for the first time, diving to his right to keep out Blake's effort, after Cotterill's shot had been blocked.

Martis then flashed a header over from a corner by Cotterill as Rovers went close again.

City should have gone ahead in the 15th minute when goalkeeper Woods punched an Elliott Bennett shot straight to Kane, but Martis blocked the striker's goalbound effort.

Tierney went close, too, seconds later with a left-foot shot that the keeper tipped over the top.

Cotterill looked lively for Rovers and he whistled a low shot across the face of the goal that was a bit too close for comfort.

Holt, still looking for his first goal of the season, shot wide from Butterfield's pass when he might have done better to look for Kane in the centre of the goalmouth.

With 26 minutes gone, however, City broke the deadlock when Tettey scored a splendid debut goal and Holt had a key role in it. The skipper dispossessed Blake and found Tettey, who struck a fine curling shot from about 25 yards that flew in off the far post.

It was a night for long-range shooting and Butterfield was next to let fly with a stinging left-footer that Woods held on to under pressure from Holt.

Cotterill forced his way into the Norwich area again but his shot was diverted for a corner, which he took, and which produced a game of goalmouth ping-pong only relieved when Tierney hooked the ball away.

Kane shot straight at keeper Woods with another opportunity to extend the lead.

Butterfield struck another powerful drive that narrowly cleared the bar as the 'shoot on sight' policy continued.

As the first half entered stoppage time, Ward had a goalbound header blocked by McCombe after a perfectly-weighted cross by Chris Martin.

• Half-time: Norwich City 1, Doncaster Rovers 0

Just two minutes into the second half, there was a worry for City when striker Kane went down in the Doncaster penalty area and stretcher bearers were called on to the pitch.

After a short delay, Kane was carried off and replaced by Jackson, while Rovers sent on Syers for Martin Woods.

Keeper Woods saved twice in a matter of seconds, keeping out Holt's powerful drive and recovering well to thwart Jackson from the rebound.

Ex-Canary Brown was introduced for Rovers after 57 minutes, in place of the veteran Blake.

Four minutes later, they made their last change when Kyle Bennett – City winger Elliott's younger brother – replaced Spurr.

The game had lost its momentum in the second period with Carrow Road in subdued mood.

Hume flashed a header wide from a cross by Husband but Rovers had not really threatened since the break.

Chris Martin made way for Hoolahan as Hughton made his second change with 20 minutes left.

Keeper Woods denied the Canaries a second goal with a fine one-handed save from Holt's header, and Ward glanced a header across goal from Butterfield's corner.

It might have been 2-0 with 15 minutes to go when Holt played the perfect ball through to Jackson, but after taking it wide of the 'keeper, he shot into the side netting.

Rovers might have equalised with two minutes left when Husband crossed from the left but Syers was unable to apply the finishing touch.

Elliott Bennett was booked as the game entered five minutes of stoppage time.

Keeper Woods saved again from Butterfield, twice in time added on, as he too looked for a debut goal.

• Norwich City: Bunn; Elliott Bennett, Ryan Bennett, Ward, Tierney; Butterfield, Tettey, Fox, Chris Martin (Hoolahan, 71); Holt, Kane (Jackson, 50). Subs (not used): Rudd, Turner, Barnett, Josh Murphy, Morison.

• Doncaster Rovers: Gary Woods; Quinn, McCombe, Martis, Spurr (Kyle Bennett, 61); Cotterill, Harper, Martin Woods (Syers, 50), Husband; Blake (Brown, 57), Hume. Subs (not used): Maxted, Jones, Middleton, Keegan.

• Referee: Darren Deadman (Cheshunt)

• Attendance: 13,982

• Goal: City: Tettey (26)

• Booking: City: Elliott Bennett (90)