The Hatters slipped to a sixth successive defeat away from Kenilworth Road as two goals in the final 10 minutes earned Norwich all three points at Carrow Road.

In an open and entertaining game the Town led thanks to Elijah Adebayo’s 19th minute goal but the hosts levelled four minutes later through Ante Crnac.

Crnac scored a second to put the Canaries in front eight minutes later but it took the Town just three minutes after half-time to get back on level terms when Jacob Brown fired home.

But with the Hatters aiming to stop a run of defeats on their travels, Norwich regained the lead with 10 minutes remaining through Emiliano Marcondes before sealing victory on 85 minutes thanks to Borja Sainz’s finish.

On a dull afternoon in Norfolk, the Town were almost behind in the fourth minute when Sainz poked a shot into the side netting with the goal at his mercy as the home side, fresh from beating Plymouth 6-1 in the week, started the brighter of the sides

However, slowly the Hatters found their feet, and on 17 minutes a fine turn from Adebayo almost created a chance for strike-partner Carlton Morris only for a fine interception from Canaries defender Callum Doyle snuff out the danger.

But the Town did not have to wait long for a goal as two minutes later they were ahead. Jordan Clark’s press rushed Anis Slimane into a poor pass and Adebayo was onto the loose ball in a flash. The forward made no mistake with the finish for his third goal of the season.

Sadly the Hatters’ lead did not last. Four minutes later the Canaries were level. The Town could not clear a Norwich set-play with Thomas Kaminski’s attempted punch landing at the feet of Crnac. The Croatian midfielder took a couple of tidy touches before slamming home from eight yards.

All of a sudden it was all Norwich and on 33 minutes the Hatters’ lead had evaporated. Tahith Chong allowed former Town man Jack Stacey to cross from the byline and Crnac was free to turn home in the penalty area for his second.

It was end-to-stuff as half-time approached. Shandon Baptiste was in the right place to cut-out a dangerous Stacey cross on 37 minutes before the same Town man created an opening at the other end that the hosts cleared.

The Hatters then had Kaminski to thank for a superb fingertip save to turn Duffy’s goal-bound header around the post two minutes before the break.

But the Town would go in at the break rueing a big chance for 2-2 when neither Adebayo or Morris could apply a finishing touch with the goal at their mercy following Brown’s inviting low cross.

Yet the Hatters came out fighting after the restart and Brown hit the equaliser on 48 minutes. Baptiste’s left-wing corner caused panic in the Norwich penalty area with the ball eventually falling at the feet of Brown who hooked an effort home for his third of the campaign.

Level, the Town were in the ascendancy and twice came close to taking the lead shortly before the hour only for Morris to have a shot blocked and Brown and Adebayo off target with headers.

Both sides were guilty of gifting possession away but the Hatters continued to keep the Canaries at bay as the game entered the final 15 minutes.

However, with 10 minutes left the home side restored their lead. This time Crnac turned provider with a touch and turn of real class to beat his man and lay the ball on a plate for Emiliano Marcondes to slide home from close range.

It was tough on the Town who had battled all afternoon but, as they searched for an equaliser, Norwich made the game safe with five minutes left when Onel Hernandez sped down the right to deliver a low cross that Sainz swept home – and that was that.

It’s back-to-back home games for the Hatters, starting with the visit of Swansea next Saturday. We’ll see you then.

Town: Kaminski, Hashioka, Bell (sub Holmes 88), McGuinness, Mengi, Chong (sub Moses 46), Clark, Baptiste (sub Krauß 75), Brown (sub Woodrow 67), Adebayo, Morris (sub Taylor 75).

Subs not used: Krul, Andersen, Nakamba, Mpanzu.

Attendance: 26,719, including 1,888 backing the Town.