Bradley Johnson will bounce back stronger from his stray pass that was ruthlessly punished by Raheem Sterling, according to Norwich City boss Neil Adams.

Johnson had played a key role in Gary Hooper's second-half lifeline but with the Canaries' threatening to gain the upper hand his error was pounced on by the razor-sharp Sterling who looped a deflected shot against Johnson that spiralled over John Ruddy to restore the Reds' two-goal advantage.

Robert Snodgrass' header triggered another home surge but Adams admitted Sterling's intervention proved a decisive moment in a pulsating contest.

'It's a fluke of a goal and bitterly disappointing for Bradley but the attitude he showed to make that right was exactly what we saw from the team in the second half,' said Adams. 'It tends to happen when you are at the bottom and the team at the top get that bit of luck. Bradley has given it away in midfield. He has spotted Martin (Olsson) but square passes have to be hit with adequate pace if you do that across midfield. The pleasing thing is you look at the person who then runs 60 or 70 yards at full pelt to try and rectify that mistake and Bradley is the one who gets a block in, it comes off the back of his leg and spins up over John, who is perfectly positioned to save the shot and it goes in the one place he can't defend it. The third goal was cruel and that ultimately cost us the game.'

Norwich's stirring response to adversity in a frenetic second half was recognised by the home fans at the final whistle and Adams appreciated the gesture.

'I said to the players on day one when you are down there supporters need to see something and if they see effort, desire and commitment they will stick with you,' he said. 'At full-time the fans showed they are with us all the way. We have to reciprocate that, give everything on the field and guarantee them three more of those performances in the last three games. I think the reaction was deserved. It was another fantastic performance, but we know its about results.'