GRANT Holt broke Blackburn Rovers hearts this afternoon as a controversial penalty earned Norwich an unlikely point.

Holt equalised from the spot in injury time, after Steven Nzonzi had been penalised for handball, as Norwich fought back from 3-1 down.

A brilliant first half strike from Junior Hoilett was followed by second half goals from Yakubu and Chris Samba as Rovers looked as though they were on their way to a first away win of the season.

Holt though struck late to seal a 3-3 draw and leave Rovers wondering how they did not win the game.

In an entertaining opening, Rovers started the brighter of the two sides and will feel they deserved to take an early lead.

Mauro Formica fired a 20-yard strike over the bar in the opening seconds before Yakubu had an overhead kick from close range cleared off the line by Bradley Johnson's face – after goalkeeper John Ruddy had dropped Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner.

Steve Morison then turned Anthony Pilkington's low cross from the right over the bar for the hosts before Yakubu fired horribly over for Rovers on 12 after a smart through ball from Ruben Rochina.

Norwich were giving as good as they got though and it took a brilliant save from Paul Robinson from David Fox's 20-yard strike to keep the scores level on 17.

No one could doubt Rovers' desire in this opening half with Morten Gamst Pedersen colliding with each other in one challenge – forcing both players off the field temporarily.

Norwich's attacking threat grew as the half wore on and Elliott Bennett should have put the Canaries ahead on 36 but, after a good pull back from Pilkington, he fired wide.

Ruddy almost fumbled Pedersen's free kick over the line on 41 before the impressive Rochina shot inches wide from distance. Hoilett had the final say of the half though as he cut inside from the left, beat two Norwich defenders and curled his shot into the top corner.

After a slow start to the second half, Norwich were back level on 53 minutes as Steve Morison volleyed home brilliantly from 20 yards.

Rovers looked as though they had cleared the danger but, when Rochina was caught in possession, Wes Hoolahan's ball into the box was half cleared by Givet, only for Morison to smash the loose ball into the top corner.

Rovers fans were back on their feet nine minutes later though as Yakubu raced on to Formica's clever though ball and buried his finish past Ruddy. Two minutes later it was 3-1.

Pedersen's wicked left footed free kick flashed across the goal for skipper Samba to dive in at the far post and head Rovers into a comfortable lead.

Norwich pushed forward in search for a route back into the game and Grant Holt looked as though he had done that with 10 minutes remaining, only for Givet to clear well.

The hosts were back in it a couple of minutes later though as Johnson's speculative long range effort deflected off Lowe and looped over Robinson and into the net.

In the dying seconds Nzonzi challenged with Steve Morison for Hoolahan's cross and, without knowing much about it, the ball struck his arm and Holt did the rest from the spot.