Norwich 1 - The Millers 1

Last updated : 05 October 2014 By Bigrich.....

Cameron Jerome scored to earn Norwich a 1-1 draw against Rotherham at Carrow Road that keeps them top of the Sky Bet Championship. The Canaries failed to convert their early chances before Rotherham went ahead on 44 minutes through a penalty from Paul Green.

Norwich upped the tempo following the restart as the Millers sat back, and were level when Jerome knocked in a rebound after a free-kick from substitute Kyle Lafferty was saved.

Neil Adams' men pressed during the closing stages but were unable to find a winner and, for 24 hours at least, remain top on goal difference ahead of Watford, who drew, and Nottingham Forest, who are a point further back but host Ipswich on Sunday.

Rotherham should have taken the lead on eight minutes when a free-kick was headed back from the near post by Kari Arnason, but the ball got stuck at the feet of Matt Derbyshire, who, just a yard out, could only stab it straight at John Ruddy. As the rain continued to poor down, Norwich went on the offensive. A lay-off from Nathan Redmond to the right side of the penalty area was smashed over the crossbar by on-rushing midfielder Bradley Johnson.

On 25 minutes, a deep ball in from the left by Sweden full-back Martin Olsson saw Jerome flash a header across the face of goal. Norwich were denied by three extraordinary goalline clearances when Lewis Grabban's header was clawed away by Adam Collin before Jerome's follow-up was blocked by Arnason and the keeper then palmed out another point-blank effort from the Norwich striker.

Rotherham - who won 2-0 against Blackburn at home on Tuesday, their first victory in seven games - broke quickly, and were awarded a penalty on 44 minutes when Ruddy came out to clatter Derbyshire, before being shown a yellow card by referee Phil Gibbs as Michael Turner was behind to cover. Green made no mistake from the spot, stroking the ball into the bottom right corner.

Norwich, who last won at home in the league on August 19, began the second half with renewed purpose, as Grabban fired the ball across the face of goal after a clever turn. It was, though, almost 2-0 on 56 minutes when Alex Revell played Derbyshire in on the right, and his low, angled shot flew just wide. Norwich were denied by the woodwork on 68 minutes when a drive from Lafferty was deflected off Jerome and onto the base of the post, before Johnson's follow-up effort was saved.

Jonny Howson cleared a header from Craig Morgan off the Norwich line, as the frustration grew inside Carrow Road. Centre-half Jos Hooiveld was replaced for the final 15 minutes by winger Josh Murphy as Adams went with three at the back. Moments later, and Norwich were level. Lafferty's curling 20-yard free-kick was pushed out by Collin, but Jerome was on hand to slot home the rebound from two yards - before clattering into the far post on 77 minutes.

Norwich pressed for a winner, with Murphy dangerous down the right, but Rotherham held out during five minutes of stoppage time.