Norwich continued in their late surge towards a play-off place by taking a half-time lead against Burnley at Carrow Road.

Norwich, who went into the game six points adrift of a play-off place, made the perfect start.

Zema Abbey had already seen a shot cleared off the line before Danish defender Steen Nedergaard thumped home a header from Paul McVeigh's corner in the third minute.

Robbie Blake, whose 14th goal of the season helped Burnley end a seven-game winless run against Preston in midweek, had his curling effort saved by Rob Green after 15 minutes.

Almost immediately, Norwich could have gone 2-0 up. On-loan David Healy, who has indicated he wants a permanent move, struck a free-kick which goalkeeper Nikolaos Michopoulos saved.

Darel Russell was unlucky not to double Norwich's advantage on the half hour, his fine volley going wide.

However, Burnley should have been on level terms five minutes later but 15-goal top scorer Gareth Taylor screwed his shot wide from six yards.

Back came Norwich and McVeigh struck a fine shot from just outside the penalty box which went inches wide.

Taylor, who bagged a hat-trick in the 7-4 home defeat by FA Cup semi-finalists Watford last Saturday, missed another good opportunity seven minutes before the break.

Dimitrios Papadopoulos crossed the ball in and Taylor could only volley his shot over the crossbar.

In injury-time, Blake tried his luck from 30 yards but his free-kick was easily saved by Green.