Even without the injured Freddie Eastwood and down to ten men for most of the second half, the Shrimpers held their own against the Canaries who looked hungover after conceding a last minute equaliser at Molineux in their last outing.
The Shrimpers kicked off attacking the River End goal but were soon on the defensive and in the fourth minute Dion Dublin's volley was not far away from putting the home side ahead.
The lively Jamal Campbell-Ryce won a corner with a determined run down the right wing but in the early stages Norwich were doing most of the attacking.
However, after 27 minutes Campbell-Ryce put in a dangerous cross which only needed a touch to produce a goal for the Shrimpers.
Robert Earnshaw fired wide with a free-kick then Campbell-Ryce dragged his shot wide at the other end.
After a shaky start the visitors were suddenly looking the more likely team to score.
Lee Bradbury headed over from Steven Hammell's left-wing cross and Matt Harrold was only inches away from converting another teasing cross from Campbell-Ryce.
Dublin was booked for what appeared to be a 50/50 pushing session two minutes before the break.
Efe Sodje was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Dickson Etuhu nine minutes into the second half and Earnshaw failed to beat Darryl Flahavan with the resulting free-kick.
Bradbury was booked for a foul before Youssef Safri came on for Carl Robinson and Arnau Riera was replaced by Adam Barrett.
Earnshaw's deflected shot fell kindly for Flahavan and Safri fired wide as Norwich tried to make the extra man count.
Dublin's downward header from Huckerby's left-wing cross was smothered on the line by Flahavan.
Jason Shackell was booked following a challenge on Peter Clarke and Etuhu followed him into the book after 75 minutes.
As the match petered out, Mark Gower and skipper Kevin Maher brought saves from Gallacher, while at the other end Dublin was pushed in the area without being awarded a penalty.