The home side struggled to create opportunities and were frustrated when Darel Russell was denied twice in the first half.

Goalkeeper David Marshall made a couple of fine saves to keep the Canaries level at the break as he parried away a Stephen Quinn effort before saving Gary Speed's header.

In the second half Paddy Kenny produced quick-fire saves to deny substitutes Wes Hoolahan and Jamie Cureton, but the visiting goalkeeper was helpless when Croft struck home in injury-time.

Norwich boss Glenn Roeder recalled right-back Jon Otsemobor and Croft after the 1-0 defeat to 10-man QPR in midweek, while left-back Adam Drury was handed his first start of the season and Middlesbrough loanee Jonathan Grounds made his full debut.

Kevin Blackwell made just the single change with Greg Halford coming in at right-back to replace the suspended Sun Jihai.

Quinn had an early effort on goal from just outside of the area, but Marshall managed the push the ball away.

Russell then had the chance to put the hosts ahead as he latched on to Matthew Pattison's cross, but Matt Kilgallon was on hand to block his powerful close-range effort.

In the 13th minute the Blades were denied by a superb Marshall save after veteran midfielder Speed managed to get his header on target following David Cotterill's corner.

After 25 minutes Roeder was forced into making a change when Pattison picked up an injury, allowing former Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli a run out.

James Beattie continued his comeback from injury as he led the line for the Blades but failed to keep an effort on target from 25 yards before his strike partner Billy Sharp slotted wide.

Russell fired a fine strike on goal just before the break but Kenny was equal to his effort with an impressive save.

Following a quiet start to the second half, a free-kick from Norwich captain Mark Fotheringham found Russell, but his header went wide.

An outswinging corner from Cotterill then found Sheffield United defender Chris Morgan but he also also headed off target.

With both sides looking increasingly desperate, Drury drilled an effort wide from 25 yards. Roeder then looked to the bench bringing on Hoolahan and Cureton just after the hour.

Cotterill smashed a powerful effort into Otsemobor before Hoolahan fired a long-range strike over the bar.

A decent chance finally arrived in the 75th minute when Cureton curled an effort on goal from inside the area but Kenny produced a superb save.

The Republic of Ireland keeper was in fine form again just moments later as he saved from Antoine Sibierski's powerful drive.

The Blades looked to snatch a late victory but Danny Webber's strike was saved brilliantly by Marshall.

Norwich City: Marshall, Otsemobor, Grounds, Omozusi, Drury (Hoolahan 68), Croft, Fotheringham, Pattison (Lupoli 25), Bertrand, Sibierski, Russell, Lupoli (Cureton 65). Subs Not Used: Nelson, Archibald-Henville.