NORWICH are the slight favourites to win their play-off semi-final tie, Ipswich Town manager Mike McCarthy admitted on Saturday after they drew the first leg.

Jonny Howson gave Norwich the lead with a neat finish five minutes before half-time after good work from Cameron Jerome down the left.

Ipswich hit back immediately as John Ruddy spilt a shot from Freddie Sears, allowing substitute Paul Anderson to fire the rebound home.

A cagey and goalless second-half left the tie level ahead of the second leg at Carrow Road next Saturday.

Norwich finished eight points and three places above Ipswich this season, winning both of their league clashes.

“They’ve got to be slight favourites, they’re at home, they finished third and they’re a good side, but it doesn’t always work like that.

“To come back against them shows everything that my team’s about — if we play as well as we did today we’ll be alright.”

Norwich manager Alex Neil was left disappointed both by his team’s defending for the Ipswich goal, and their inability to convert superior possession into more chances.

“Very disappointed with the goal. Very sloppy from us.

“It’s a great ball up the park and we knew that it was coming — ultimately that cost us.”