Norwich City match winner Simeon Jackson labelled his decisive Middlesbrough strike as the 'easiest' of his career.

The 23-year-old predator is closing in on a century of goals in the paid ranks for club and country but struggled to recall one quite as simple as the tap-in that cemented Norwich's top four Championship spot.

Jackson anticipated strike partner Grant Holt's cut back to slot into an empty net a minute before the break to pile fresh misery on managerless Boro.

'It's probably the easiest goal I've ever scored,' he said. 'They are the ones you dream about, a couple of yards out, but it was great play all round from the cross to Holty just knocking it back down and it was important to go 1-0 up when we did just before half time and then to keep the lead.

'Holty made the goal. I was luckily in the right position at the right time.

'Unfortunately we didn't really create that much after half-time but that is how it goes sometimes.

'In some games you have to drop back and keep your shape and I felt we did that well and we managed to come away with the three points.'

Jackson reserved special praise for Anthony McNamee whose deep cross was diverted by Holt back into his path. The ex-Swindon wide player impressed on a rare start as Paul Lambert shuffled his pack.

'It's brilliant for me as a striker to have someone like Anthony wide,' said Jackson.

'He is looking to get the ball in at every opportunity, get one versus one and get crosses in the box. As a striker you just have to make sure you get on the end of things and he was magnificent for us so credit to him.'

Jackson appears to have picked up the goalscoring mantle from League One hotshots Holt and Chris Martin after a fourth goal in his last five games for club and country.

The Canadian international is relishing the chance to forge a frontline partnership with skipper Holt.

'It's still early days and I think we've only played three or four games together but it's good for me,' he said. 'You know what he is all about, backing in and holding the ball up very well and I'm trying to get an understanding which is vital when you play in that position and that will come with time.

'Whether it's Grant or Chrissy or whoever plays up front you need that understanding.

'For me I feel in good form and scoring goals you do get a lot of confidence from that. Obviously I'll try and keep that up and if I do, we can be up there at the end.

'With the players we have here who are out of the team you know you have to keep performing because they are breathing down your neck but it's good to have that I feel within the club and it can only help us.'

Jackson believes City's discipline was the key factor after Crystal Palace cashed in on Norwich's set piece frailties previously to claim all three points.

'They had a lot of possession but sometimes if you can keep your shape it is hard for teams to break you down,' he said.

'We kept it compact and we made it difficult for them, especially when you have a lead as well it can kind of frustrate the opposition the longer it goes and as I said sometimes you have to do that.

'We're just delighted. It was important to win after Tuesday night and we wanted to bounce back. Now hopefully we can keep that going in the league.

'We can take a lot of belief from this game. They came, had a gameplan, and we did well and had to keep our shape. We had to sit back at times but at the end of the day I don't think anyone is complaining when you get three points on the board.'

Jackson is convinced the Teesiders can still mount a challenge at the right end of the table after watching them at close quarters.

'I'm quite surprised where they are in the table because they have good players, they came out and straight away you could see what they were trying to do,' he said. 'They wanted to pass it in midfield, they had great firepower up front and they will feel they maybe deserved something but we are not too fussed about that.'