Norwich kept their promotion challenge on course with a two-goal defeat of Crystal Palace.

Paul McVeigh and Iwan Roberts scored the Canaries' goals at a packed Carrow Road.

And the visitors would have suffered a heavier defeat had it not been for the heroics of their Greek goalkeeper Nik Michopoulos.

Michopoulos, on loan from Burnley, made a string of superb saves from McVeigh, Malky Mackay and David Nielsen.

Norwich were on the back foot in the opening exchanges but broke out of defence to take the lead in the ninth minute.

Northern Ireland international McVeigh scored his 11th goal of the season, drilling the ball past Michopoulos following a neat lay-off from strike partner Roberts.

Palace had already gone close through Kim Symons and Dele Adebola, and almost equalised in the 15th minute when Julian Gray curled a shot just wide.

At the other end, Roberts headed a good chance wide and then Michopoulos saved from Nielsen.

The Greek then denied Mackay six minutes after the break before keeping his side in the game with a stunning 65th-minute save to keep out Nielsen from close range.

Shaun Derry missed a chance to equalise for Palace with 20 minutes to play.

Michopoulos kept out McVeigh again, but could not stop Roberts sealing victory for Norwich four minutes from time.

Norwich: Green, Nedergaard, Kenton, Fleming, Drury, Rivers, Mulryne, Holt, McVeigh, Nielsen, Roberts. Subs: Crichton, Henderson, Mackay, Abbey, Southall.

Crystal Palace: Michopoulos, Butterfield, Symons, Powell, Granville, Black, Thomson, Derry, Gray, Adebola, Johnson. Subs: Kolinko, Williams, Riihilahti, Antwi, Borrowdale.

Referee: E Wolstenholme (Lancashire).