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Norwich City 3 Blackpool 2 <i>(aet)</i>: Huckerby at the double to rock Blackpool

Gordon Tynan
Tuesday 13 February 2007 20:09 EST
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Norwich City manager Peter Grant saw his side come through a tricky FA Cup clash against League One side Blackpool with a 3-2 win and declared that his side will not be "waving the white flag" when they meet Chelsea on Saturday.

Two superb goals from Darren Huckerby helped the Canaries overcome a brave challenge from the Seasiders and book a dream fifth-round date at Stamford Bridge. Michael Jackson had opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half while Shaun Barker was also on target before Norwich youngster Chris Martin won it in injury time.

Grant knows his Championship strugglers will start the game as rank outsiders but believes they will try to take the game to their illustrious opponents.

He said: "There's no way we will just go there and defend - we haven't got the players to do that. We've got a lot of good attacking players and we'll go there and give it a right good go. We're certainly not just going there for a big party.

"Obviously there's a huge gulf between the two sides but upsets have always happened in this competition and so far this season there hasn't really been one. Hopefully we can change all that. If we play as well as we can I think we can cause them a problem but having said that I'm under no illusions about the size of the task. I played them twice last season when I was with West Ham and we lost both times so I know exactly what to expect."

Grant was also keen to pay tribute to the part Blackpool played in a pulsating cup tie.

"They have been terrific over both games and have given us a real scare," he said. "In the end a couple of bits of quality from Huckerby has been the difference between the two sides. Darren was excellent. I had a little go at him a few weeks ago for not contributing enough but tonight you saw just what he is capable of."

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson, who felt his side put in a fine showing, said: "We have given a Championship side a really good run for their money and it goes without saying that the lads are bitterly disappointed. They put in a fantastic effort and one bit of quality from a really top player was the difference between the sides. Huckerby has played at the top level for a lot of clubs and you could see why tonight."

Goals: Jackson (37) 0-1; Huckerby (78) 1-1; Huckerby (95) 2-1; Barker (108) 2-2; Martin (112) 3-2.

Norwich City: Marshall, Colin (Martin, 61), Shackell, Dublin, Drury, Hughes, Safri (Doherty, 112), Etuhu, Croft, Brown, Huckerby. Substitutes not used: Gallacher, McVeigh, Eagle.

Blackpool: Evans, Barker, Jackson, Evatt, Tierney (Gorkss, 71), Forbes (Jorgensen, 105), Southern, Fox, Hoolahan, Parker, Vernon (Burgess, 50). Substitutes not used: Joseph, Bean.

Referee: A Marriner (W Midlands).

Booked: Norwich: Huckerby, Etuhu, Safri, Marshall: Blackpool: Southern, Barker.

Man of the match: Huckerby.

Attendance: 19,120.

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