The defeat led to Worthington being sacked

After majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn-Jones' demand for an improvement this week, Norwich fell behind to James O'Connor's strike.

Gray's bullet header made it two and he then slid in a third after Gary Doherty was sent off for a professional foul.

Robert Earnshaw reduced the arrears, but Alan Mahon's drive sealed the win.

The defeat was met with a chorus of boos as the Norwich supporters called for Worthington to be sacked - and they got their wish within hours of the final whistle.

The pair's midweek statement did not have the effect they had hoped for, with the hosts rarely looking likely to get something out of the game, despite a performance full of bluster.

Dion Dublin, encouraging on his full debut, Darren Huckerby and Earnshaw all did their best to bring Norwich a crucial goal but all too often the final ball was wayward, with Lee Croft, in particular, guilty of wasting several decent openings.

And with the likes of Jones, Gray and Gifton Noel-Williams producing the goods for Burnley, an away win always looked on the cards.

In truth, it could have been more for the visitors, with Michael Duff and Frank Sinclair hitting the woodwork, although Mahon's vicious strike from 16 yards with a minute left capped a dominant display.

Norwich: Gallacher, Colin, Fleming, Doherty, Boyle (Shackell 62), Croft (Hughes 71), Safri, Robinson, Huckerby, Dublin (Thorne 65), Earnshaw.
Subs Not Used: Camp, Ryan Jarvis.

Sent Off: Doherty (60).

Goals: Earnshaw 82.

Burnley: Jensen, Duff, McGreal, Sinclair, Harley, Elliott (Mahon 75), Hyde, James O'Connor, Jones (McCann 86), Gray, Noel-Williams (Lafferty 86).
Subs Not Used: Garreth O'Connor, Foster.

Booked: Sinclair, James O'Connor.

Goals: James O'Connor 32, Gray 45, 64, Mahon 89.

Att: 24,717

Ref: P Crossley (Kent)