Norwich City 1 Bristol City 2: Cole Skuse revealed how team-mate Nicky Maynard inspired him to end his goal famine.

City's all-action midfielder was beginning to despair after failing to find the back of the net in almost three years.

But that all changed after nine-goal marksman Maynard offered the Bristolian some valuable tips in a Norwich hotel room on the eve of this Championship showdown.

Taking his friend's advice on board, Skuse produced the kind of finish Maynard would have been proud of to set in-form City on course for victory in East Anglia.

"I room with Nicky and he had a few words with me the night before the game," revealed Skuse, who last scored in a League One fixture at Rotherham in March 2006.

"He told me to relax and just allow my instincts to take over in front of goal. We also spoke about getting a clean connection and trying to hit the target.

"Because of him, I was able to visualise scoring a goal. It worked a treat and this one is down to Nicky."

Skuse has been threatening to break his duck for some time. Afforded a long-overdue run in the side, the Academy product is finally proving his true worth and he came within a whisker of scoring in last month's 2-0 victory at Plymouth.

He joked: "I felt a goal was coming because I was starting to send my shots into rows D and E instead of Y and Z!

"When Nicky played the ball to me and I realised I'd lost my marker, I just concentrated on keeping my shot down. Fortunately, it went underneath the bar and it was a really sweet moment when I saw it go in.

"It's been a long time coming and I'm delighted I've scored a goal to help us win a game. Hopefully, there are a few more like that one in my locker."

Skuse's goal – only his third in five seasons – epitomised City's vibrant first-half display. In buoyant mood following a six-match unbeaten run, the Robins ripped Norwich to shreds and should have put the outcome beyond reasonable doubt long before the break.

"I thought we started well and played some outstanding football," said Skuse, whose goal was the product of a sweeping move involving the mercurial Michael McIndoe and Maynard, who selflessly opted to pass to his room-mate instead of shooting himself.

But Skuse limped off with a recurrence of a back problem, Norwich poached an equaliser against the run of play and City were made to graft for their fourth consecutive win. In the end, they owed their triumph to Bradley Orr's coolness under pressure.

Having spurned a succession of chances, City were stunned when the Canaries levelled matters on 24 minutes. Carl Cort headedSammy Clingan's raking free-kick against the far post for the ball to rebound across goal and present centre-back Jonathan Grounds with an easy finish from close range. City deservedly restored their advantage on the stroke of half-time. Making a hash of an attempted clearance kick, Norwich keeper David Marshall gave the ball straight to Dele Adebola, whose advance on goal was cut short by Gary Doherty's rash lunge.

Referee Andy D'Urso had little option but to issue the Canaries skipper with a straight red card and award a penalty.

McIndoe and Maynard had previously missed from the spot this season and Orr raced forward to take responsibility, sending Marshall the wrong way with a firmly-struck penalty which oozed self-confidence.

Orr was again the centre of attention when Norwich were refused what they considered a cast-iron penalty midway through the second half. City's right-back risked all when going shoulder-to-shoulder with Adam Drury, who immediately went to ground inside the 18-yard box.

Despite howls of protest from home fans, D'Urso remained unmoved and signalled a goal kick, much to the relief of watching City manager Gary Johnson and the few hundred supporters who had made the long trek.

Orr was in no doubt, insisting: "He went down too easily and the referee made the right decision. I was looking up and waiting for the ball to come down when I brushed him with my shoulder and he did what a lot of players would have done in that situation. Norwich were down to 10 men and looking for a way back into the game and I don't blame him for going down."

Although Norwich's 10-men demonstrated unquenchable spirit to make life awkward for City after the break, there was no denying the visitors thoroughly deserved the win.

If City's recent successes had been borne out of sound defence and feverish work-rate, this victory owed significantly more to their attacking enterprise. Displaying an accuracy of pass and speed of foot and thought seldom witnessed this season, the visitors tore Norwich to pieces in a manner which suggests they are peaking at exactly the right time.

Having blotted his copybook at the end of the first half, Canaries keeper Marshall thereafter made amends to prevent a far heavier defeat, making saves to deny City substitutes Ivan Sproule, twice, and Stern John.

On the few occasions the Canaries did threaten an unlikely equaliser, City keeper Adriano Basso was equal to the task, notably when dropping to his left to keep out Wes Hoolahan's low drive.