Jonny Howson found the net on the stroke of half time to send Norwich City into the break with a slender lead over Nottingham Forest in the Championship this afternoon.

Clear-cut chances were hard to come by in the opening stages as both sides defended tightly, but Michail Antonio might have forced the issue for the visitors if Alexander Tettey hadn't been on hand to snuff out his shot with a deft interception.

Norwich came close in the 23rd minute when Cameron Jerome latched on to Howson's cross at the back post, only to fire his shot into the ground and watch it bounce harmlessly over the bar.

Canaries goalkeeper John Ruddy was called into action just before the half-hour mark, thwarting Antonio from close range after the Forest man was played through on goal by Chris Burke.

Ruddy was tested again 10 minutes before the break, denying Ben Osborn from 12 yards after the young midfielder hit one on the turn.

Forest were asking all of the questions, but it was Norwich who drew first blood as first-half stoppage time approached, Wes Hoolahan providing a lofted pass for Howson to collect and mark his 100th Canaries appearance with the goal that separates the sides at the interval.