2001
 
Saturday, 25 August 2001
Nationwide League Division 1
Selhurst Park
Attendance: 6,084
Ref: Andy Hall
 
Wimbledon
0 (0) - (0) 1
Norwich City
Marc Libbra
1
Rob Green
5
Craig Fleming
4
Malky Mackay
15
Darren Kenton
3
Adam Drury
8
Gary Holt
7
Phil Mulryne
12
Darel Russell
Subbed 41
10
Zema Abbey
18
Paul McVeigh
Subbed 63 Subbed 90
9
Iwan Roberts
--
16
Steen Nedergaard
Sub ((12) 41)(12)
19
Marc Libbra
Sub ((10) 63)(10) Goal 89
2
Brian McGovern
Sub ((18) 90)(18)
24
Clint Easton
28
Paul Crichton

Norwich substitute Marc Libbra headed home from close range three minutes from time to settle a game that seemed to be heading for a goalless draw.

In a rare Norwich attack, he met a cross from Paul McVeigh to stun the Dons.

Until then, two teams with a point to prove after surprise midweek defeats in the Worthington Cup, succeeded only in frustrating their supporters.

Norwich looked happy to win a point.

Both managers made changes up front in a bid to end the stalemate.

Dons boss Terry Burton turned to 19-year-old Jobi McAnuff - making his senior debut as a late substitute - to try to find the spark.

Apart from an early far-post chance for Norwich's Zima Abbey, Wimbledon played all the football in the first half and deserved some reward for their enterprise.

Kevin Cooper came the closest, striking a 20-yard free kick against the post.

David Connolly should have scored with a darting run that took him clear of the Norwich defence but goalkeeper Robert Green made a good block.

Wimbledon fielded their third goalkeeper in the space of a week but Paul Heald, making only his third start in four seasons, had an uneventful first half as Norwich offered little threat.

There was little else to suggest anything but a stalemate until Libbra's late strike.