Young Gulls knock out Canaries
Full-back Richard Westcott's curling first-half free-kick proved the difference between the sides.
But in front of an enthusiastic crowd of more than 500 supporters, United really clinched a home tie against Millwall in Round Three through a brave display of discipline, effort and commitment.
Westcott's goal gave them something to defend through a draining second half into the teeth of the wind.
Goalkeeper Mike Searle, who pulled off several fine saves, was just one of many young heroes.
United's defence of Joe Parish, centre-backs Ed Palmer and Ryan Beattie and left-back Richard Westcott hardly put a foot wrong.
Scott Taylor's quality shone through in midfield, while strikers Ashley Yeoman and Ray Spear chased every ball up front.
But it would be churlish to leave anyone out, for Norwich – they are only three points behind the young stars of Arsenal in their league – were met tackle for tackle, run for run all over the pitch.
The Canaries could never have expected to meet such determined opposition.
In an ominous start for United, Norwich forced four corners in the first 90 seconds, all delivered with quality by their skipper, young pro Sam Habergham.
But United, with a strong wind behind them, gradually forced their way into the match with some determined defending from Ed Palmer and Joe Parish and the work of Scott Taylor and Rob Hemming in midfield.
Taylor nearly got Ashley Yeoman in with a through-ball, an attack which was only snuffed out by a dash off his line by City goalie Jed Steer.
Ryan Oakley fired just wide after a smart close passing move by City on the edge of the Ellacombe End area.
United enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first half, but their nerves showed when Ray Spear snatched at a couple of early half-chances.
Norwich seemed content to make sure that they didn't make any early mistakes with the elements against them.
But that approach proved costly.
Saul Halpin pulled a good low save from Steer when he cut in from the left, beat a man and let fly.
And in the 31st minute United took the lead, albeit with a touch of luck.
Westcott's inswinging free-kick from wide on the right was aimed at Yeoman's head, but it curled just beyond the Gulls' striker and in off the far-post…1-0.
The goal was reward for United's industry and their evident desire not to be upstaged by their more favoured opponents.
Even though Nick Milton had failed a fitness test, the central defensive pairing of Palmer and Beattie had looked increasingly confident, especially in the air.
Left winger Josh Dawkin did cut in and shoot over the bar on the stroke of half-time.
But that was Norwich's first shot at goal for some time, and the Canaries must have been hoping for an improved performance with the wind behind them in the second half.
Sure enough, Norwich started piling on the pressure from the first whistle of the second half.
Spear, who had been guilty of a couple of rash challenges earlier, was booked for his latest foul, taking out City full-back Richard Brindley in the 48th minute.
It was turning into a grim rearguard action for United, with Beattie and Palmer key figures in the middle of defence.
Spear and Yeoman up front had to feed on scraps and any hopeful long balls.
But twice in the space of a few minutes Yeoman nearly put United two up.
First he beat the offside trap on a through-ball by Beattie, but couldn't quite beat City defender David Stephens and get his shot off.
Then Yeoman raced clear on the right, on a pass by Taylor, crossed to the far post and Halpin's close-range shot deflected over the bar off Brindley.
Norwich made two changes, in the 62nd and 65th minutes, sending on Matt Ball at right-back for Brindley and then striker David Nwaogu for Tyree Clark in attack.
Gulls fans in the 500-plus crowd howled for a penalty when Halpin went down as he drove between two defenders, but referee Mark Darrien waved play on – probably the right decision.
Gulls keeper Mike Searle dived full-length to his right to parry a Habergham free-kick away. Patrick Drmola's follow-up flew over, but he was offside anyway.
Dawkin also headed another set-piece over the bar as City tried desperately to haul themselves level.
Halpin was booked for kicking the ball away, then took a bang in the mouth which needed treatment.
Tiredness started to play a major role, for both sides, in the closing stages.
Eleven minutes from time Searle pulled out the save of the match, tipping the ball wide after Nwaogu had broken through with the goal at his mercy.
The wind kept helping to drive Norwich forward, but it didn't aid their final ball, on set-pieces or from open play.
Many intended passes drifted through to Searle.
Through it all, Taylor's touch and awareness and Kudi's work rate sustained United in midfield.
Joe Parish also had an impressive game at right-back.
Despite all their efforts, it seemed as if United might have let Nwaogu go once too often in the 87th minute.
The Canaries' burly substitute had only Searle to beat inside the area, but stabbed his shot inches wide when an equaliser seemed certain.
Moments later, with the crowd cheering every tackle, Halpin's run and cross saw Spear have a shot deflected wide.
From the corner Yeoman's volley on the turn was tipped over by Steer.
And from the next flag-kick Palmer headed onto the top of the net.
It was a rousing finish by United.
And when Searle got right behind a Stephens shot in stoppage-time, the young Gulls knew they had pulled off a major upset.
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