Johannes Hoff Thorup after the game at Burnley Getty Images

Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup says his side's poor first-half performance meant they could not execute their desired game plan against Burnley.

The Canaries conceded two early goals, and despite being one of few sides to score against Scott Parker's side in the second half, could not manage a late equaliser.

"We simply have to avoid the first goal," Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk. "It's not good enough defensively, our back line is all over the place.

"The second goal, we gave away a free-kick in our own half, it straight to them and they score from a deflected shot, that's more difficult to avoid.

"That left us in a bad position, so I am not satisfied with that, it wasn't part of the plan.

"The second half was really, really strong. When we got the goal we gave them a final push without creating final chances."

Defeat for Norwich almost certainly ends their chances of a play-off place. They remain nine points off the top six with four matches left.

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    Burnley and Norwich City club emblems

    Burnley can steal a march on their promotion rivals with a point at home to Norwich enough to send them top of the Championship table ahead of the weekend games.

    Norwich know only a win would keep alive their slim chances of gatecrashing the top six.

    • Burnley have won their past three league games against Norwich City, last winning four in succession against the Canaries between 2006 and 2007.

    • Norwich City have won just one of their 20 away league games against Burnley (D4 L15), failing to score in 14 of those matches at Turf Moor.

    • Burnley have kept 29 clean sheets in their 41 Championship games this season. They are now just one clean sheet away from matching the all-time seasonal Football League record of 30, set by Port Vale in the 1953-54 third division north.

    • Since defeating Derby 3-2 in September, Norwich have won just two of their past 16 away league games (D6 L8) – 1-0 victories against Luton and Watford.

    • Burnley have been involved in 12 goalless draws in the Championship this season; only Blackpool in 1974-75 (13) have ever had more 0-0s in a single Football League season.

  • Split image of a pensive-looking Mark Robins and Birmingham striker Alfie May celebrating