A sell-out crowd at the Walkers Stadium were eager to see promoted Leicester City bid farewell to the Nationwide League in style, but instead had to be content with a share of the spoils against a vibrant Norwich side, who were quick to shake off any hangover they might have had after the disappointment of missing out on a play-off place.
Leicester began without injured midfield star Muzzy Izzet and their plight worsened after 15 minutes when Jordan Stewart went off with a dislocated shoulder ,but it was substitute Nicky Summerbee who had an almost immediate impact with a key role in Leicester's goal.
Malky Mackay fouled Paul Dickov to concede a free-kick which Summerbee curled into the heart of the penalty area. Gerry Taggart flicked on and Trevor Benjamin arrived late at the far post to slide the ball home after 20 minutes.
After 16-year-old Ryan Jarvis had tested Ian Walker to the full with a 25-yard drive, an error by Robert Green almost led to a second Leicester goal close to the interval, when he spilled Dickov's shot, but managed to recover and smother the ball at the feet of Brian Deane.
After the break the Foxes stood off to concede plenty of possession which Norwich were quick to exploit.
The warning was there 20 minutes from the end when a mistake by Benjamin let in Darel Russell, whose 16-yard drive was heading for the top corner until Walker intervened with a stunning fingertip save.
On 74 minutes Walker was beaten when substitute Mark Rivers drilled in a 30-yard shot which cannoned into the net off the keeper's right-hand post.
And then in the final minute Paul McVeigh had a chance to steal a shock win, but his close-range shot was charged down by James Scowcroft.