CHRIS LAKEY A furious Nigel Worthington launched a scathing attack on his players last night as City threw away a 3-1 lead in a thrilling clash on the Essex coast.

CHRIS LAKEY

A furious Nigel Worthington launched a scathing attack on his players last night as City threw away a 3-1 lead in a thrilling clash on the Essex coast.

Worthington accused his team of lacking leadership and of throwing away the instruction book as they allowed last season's League One champions to haul themselves back into the game when it seemed the Canaries were heading for their first away win of the season.

Having gone behind early on, City hit back through Robert Earnshaw, whose brace took his tally to six for the season, and Dickson Etuhu.

But Mark Gower's injury-time effort took the wind out of City's sails - and had there been any more time to play it could well have been worse as the hosts threw everything but the kitchen sink at Norwich.

“It was a crazy situation, we have tossed two points away and I hope there is a learning process in there because that is absolutely criminal,” said Worthington. “We needed to just do the things we had done to get us to 3-1 - passing the ball, early movement, good, hard work when Southend have got the ball.

“We thought the game became too easy and we got what we deserved. I am talking about all areas. At 3-1, if we do it properly, we can see the game out. I thought some of our lot thought it was 4-1, 5-1. and through that comes pressure at the other end. They get to 3-2 and anything could have happened.”

“It's like a defeat and rightly so and they only have themselves to blame.

“I, as an ex-pro, am there on the bench in the second half, I can see it happening before my eyes. You try to get messages on to the pitch, you are looking for leaders on the pitch and we have all gone AWOL.

“I thought we started the game very well, we passed the ball well, we worked hard and we go a goal down, which we were disappointed with. But we showed character, kept passing the ball, kept the movement, and we go 3-1 up and into a nice position at a very difficult place to come to.

“Then we started to have a flick about, thinking we are better than what we are. I am looking for leaders on the pitch, I can't see any, I can't hear any, and if you invite enough pressure, sure enough something gives and that's what happened.”

The only player Worthingon absolved from blame was central defender Gary Doherty.

“I thought Gary Doherty was outstanding, he got some greats blocks in at 3-1 and 3-2, but for me not good enough and they have to have a good long look at themselves and make sure they are right for Saturday.”