A dramatic first-half ending left Norwich City with a 1-1 draw at Stoke in their return from the international break.

Ante Crnac's first goal for the club gave them a very brief lead, but Million Manhoef's strike meant the points were shared in a closely-contested affair.

Stoke started the better of the sides in chance terms, creating openings for Tom Cannon that he failed to take.

But before long the visitors were dominant, with Kenny McLean and Marcelino Nunez both going close. Eventually they made their pressure pay, Crnac finding a vital first goal of his Norwich career.

It came to the Croat rather fortuitously when Oscar Schwartau's effort ricocheted off Josh Sargent and into his path, but that mattered little when he fired beyond Viktor Johansson for 1-0.

The away fans could only enjoy the lead for six minutes, however, Manhoef equalising deep into stoppage time. Johannes Hoff Thorup was left publicly ruing the referee's performance, and privately he may have been frustrated with George Long's goalkeeping too.

What Norwich needed in the second half was calm and recalibration, but Stoke looked the likelier to score next. Ben Wilmot, Andrew Moran and Lewis Koumas all had attempts early in the second period, none of them to any avail.

Thorup made a string of changes in his attempts to change things, but ultimately his side had to settle for a point that probably reflected a fair outcome.

The result leaves Norwich seventh in the Championship table, two points away from the play-off places after 10 games.

STOKE CITY:


Substitutes:

13. Bonham (GK)

7. Vidigal (on for Koumas, 85)

12. Seko (on for Manhoef, 90+3)

14. Ennis

15. Thompson (on for Burger, 45+3)

17. Bocat

22. Tchamadeu

26. Phillips

37. Tezgel

Head Coach: Narcis Pelach

Bookings: Clements (17, goalkeeper coach)

Goals: Manhoef (45+6)

NORWICH CITY:


Substitutes:

37. Mair (GK)

3. Stacey (on for Fisher, 79)

5. Hanley

11. Marcondes (on for Slimane, 66)

14. Chrisene (on for Cordoba, 79)

18. Forson (on for Crnac, 66)

21. Gordon

29. Schwartau (on for Nunez, 43)

Head Coach: Johannes Hoff Thorup

Bookings: Doyle (45+8)

Goals: Crnac (45)

KEY MOMENTS

3 - The ball looks over Cordoba and into Cannon, whose strike doesn't have enough power to beat Long.

15 - Cannon again is the beneficiary of a rapid Stoke attack, but Duffy turns his shot behind.

22 - Slimane chips a ball into Nunez, who can't force his volley beyond Johannson.

24 - Johansson dives to make a fine save from McLean's header.

26 - McLean exchanges passes with Nunez before dragging well wide from distance.

45 - GOAL NORWICH (Crnac): Schwartau's shot bounces of Sargent into Crnac's path, and the Croat fires past Johansson for 1-0.

45+1 - Manhoef cuts in and shoots well wide of the near post.

45+6 - Cannon drives his low free-kick into the wall before flicking a header wide.

45+6 - GOAL STOKE (Manhoef): Manhoef picks the ball up at the back post in plenty of space, cutting in and looping over Long to equalise.

Half time: Stoke City 1-1 Norwich City

49 - Wilmot slides the ball across the face of goal, but can't find a team-mate.

53 - Sargent collects Doyle's flick on and shoots, seeing his curler deflected wide.

59 - Doyle flicks round the corner for Sainz to shoot, but it's straight at the goalkeeper.

63 - Moran works some room in the box for a shot, seeing it saved by Long.

63 - Koumas is next to have a go, but it's deflected behind.

65 - An off-balance Moran fires over after a corner.

69 - Doyle drives into the box and fires into the near side-netting.

80 - Sainz cuts in and shoots from the corner of the box, but his shot is deflected wide for a corner.

90+1 - Gibson meets a corner, but can only divert wide.

Full time: Stoke City 1-1 Norwich City

PLAYER RATINGS

Long 5, Fisher 7, Duffy 7, Cordoba 7, Doyle 5, McLean 7, Nunez 7, Slimane 7, Crnac 6, Sargent 5, Sainz 6. Subs: Schwartau 5, Marcondes 6, Forson 5, Chrisene 7, Stacey 5.

MATCH STATISTICS

Possession: 41pc-59pc

Shots: 14-11

On target: 5-4

Corners: 6-6

Fouls: 7-9

Added time: 5 mins/3 mins

Attendance: 23,002 (1,748 away)

Referee: Anthony Backhouse