A SECOND half fightback ensured it was not a happy return to management for former City boss Nigel Worthington as Robert Earnshaw celebrated his return to fitness with a goal in a 2-1 win at the Walkers Stadium.
City made the worst possible start, with another former Canary Darren Kenton putting the home side ahead after just 40 seconds.
But Norwich rallied well, and an excellent second 45 minutes saw Earnshaw score his 18th of the season from the spot after coming on as a substitute just four minutes earlier.
Just minutes later and Jason Shackell headed the decisive goal from Huckerby's corner, making it a happy away trip for the travelling support.
And there was even time for young striker Kris Renton to become the youngest ever player to play for the Canaries, coming on as a sub in the 90th minute.
There was a massive cheer from the travelling faithful as the teams were announced at the Walkers Stadium when it emerged leading goalscorer Robert Earnshaw had been named on the bench.
The 17-goal hit man had been out of action since tearing a groin muscle in training back in December, and was not expected to play again this campaign.
But the Welshman was clearly fit enough to be considered for a place among the substitutes, as boss Peter Grant did his best to piece together a first XI from an injury ravaged squad.
The absence of Mark Fotheringham (back), Simon Lappin (hand) and Youssef Safri (hamstring) saw a place in midfield for youngster Michael Spillane, his first start of the season.
Jurgen Colin was restored to right-back, allowing Andy Hughes to push up into central midfield.
In attack City had a forward three of Chris Martin, Lee Croft and Darren Huckerby.
Before the game, returning Leicester man Dublin was handed a warm ovation from the home fans in recognition of the 18-month services he gave to the Foxes prior to his arrival at Carrow Road.
The travelling support were in good voice as the Canaries kicked off the match, with new Leicester boss Nigel Worthington looking to take three points off his old side and ease the Foxes' relegation fears.
And with less than 40 seconds on the clock Worthington was given a dream start to his reign as another former Norwich man gave the Foxes the lead.
There was little conviction from City's defending as Shaun Newton made progress down the right, and he played the ball into the path of the overlapping Darren Kenton who thrashed the ball beyond Warner and into the far side of the net from a narrow angle.
It was a great finish, but worse was to come for City before the restart as Adam Drury was forced off with what looked to be a facial injury sustained in the build-up to the goal.
He was replaced by Robert Eagle, with Andy Hughes moving to left back and City reverting to a 4-5-1 formation.
It had been the worst possible start for the Canaries, with City's defence turned twice more inside the first five minutes, with Shackell in particular apparently feeling the effects of the knee injury which had threatened to rule him out of today's game.
The Canaries managed to weather the early storm, and on eight minutes registered their first shot as Martin's effort from 20 yards ran a yard wide of Logan's left post after being found by Eagle.
There was another good chance for Norwich to equalise on 10 minutes when Spillane flicked-on a Croft corner from the right, only for no-one to read the move, with the ball running harmlessly out for a goal kick.
City were certainly back in the game again after their disastrous opening, and on 18 minutes Logan had to produce a fine save high to his left to keep out a bending shot from Lee Croft from 25 yards.
The Canaries had also regained their shape somewhat, with Huckerby rejoining Martin in attack in a more orthodox 4-4-2.
Leicester continued to offer a threat however, with Iain Hume miscuing a header from 12 yards out after rising above Shackell to meet a left wing corner on 21 minutes.
Less than a minute later though the home forward wasted a brilliant chance to make it 2-0.
There seemed to be little danger as Dublin collected the ball away on the left, but the big defender lost his footing, allowing Hume to nip in and carry the ball un-marked into the City box.
He had at least two team mates for support in the six yard box, but the striker opted instead to go for the near post, getting his shot horribly wrong and hitting the side-netting.
It was a great opening for Leicester, and a real let-off for the Canaries.
Two minutes later and it was Norwich's turn to be wasteful in front of goal.
Hughes' long pass bisected the home defence and ran perfectly into the path of Huckerby's forward run.
With the 'keeper advancing off his line and the ball bouncing perfectly for the lob, Huckerby managed to divert the ball over Logan - but also over the bar from the edge of the area.
Better was to come on 25 minutes, as Jurgen Colin found Martin in the area with a lovely reverse ball, with the teenager forcing a save from Logan low to his left as his shot threatened to sneak in.
On 35 minutes a fantastically worked move almost saw City equalise. A low pass was fed into the feet of Etuhu just inside the Leicester area, and he produced an exquisite back-heel which narrowly missed Huckerby as he broke into the box.
At the other end Warner had to be sharp to save a low deflected effort from Newton as he got his shot away from 18 yards.
Goalscorer Kenton's game came to an end on 38 minutes through injury, with Richard Stearman replacing him.
And Stearman wasted no time in making his presence felt, becoming the first name in referee Colin Webster's notebook for taking down Huckerby on the left on 41 minutes.
In first half stoppage time Shackell was left in a crumpled heap on the ground after making a brave block to prevent Hume from getting a shot away inside the area. After treatment from physio Neal Reynolds, he was able to continue.
Half time: Leicester 1-0 Norwich City
The Foxes got the second half underway, with neither manager opting for any changes.
And on 49 minutes only an outstanding save from Warner kept the Canaries in with a shout.
Stearman fizzed a ball across the six-yard box, and Fryatt met it well on the half-volley. It looked a goal all the way, but the on-loan Fulham 'keeper stuck out a leg to block, with Shackell clearing the loose ball.
It was a great stop from Warner, with the Canaries hopefully using the moment to build on.
And on 55 minutes City were denied what looked to be a nailed-on penalty. A great ball over the top put Huckerby and Gareth McAuley in a straight race.
Huckerby was always the winner, getting in front of the last man. But as he looked to carry the ball towards goal, McAuley fell on top of him, flattening him.
It looked a certain spot kick - to all but the officials who waved play on. Had it been given McAuley may also have seen red for being the final defender.
The moment had certainly roused City, and on the hour mark Spillane saw a goal-bound shot blocked six yards from goal.
Huckerby too was posing an increased threat, with the forward hardly endearing himself to the home fans after an altercation with a ball boy after he delayed returning the ball to him for a throw in a dangerous position.
With the Canaries very much on top, Worthington opted to add a new dimension to Leicester's attack, replacing the lightweight Fryatt with the considerably more robust Horsfield.
On 67 minutes Logan made a fine save from Etuhu's toe-poked effort after a typically powerful run by the Nigerian to support the attack.
With 70 minutes on the clock there was a loud roar from the visiting support when Robert Earnshaw appeared on the touchline, ready to end three months out of action.
He replaced Michael Spillane, with Earnshaw joining Huckerby and Croft in attack, with Martin dropping slightly deeper.
And four minutes later he was back on the goal trail - making it 18 for the season from the penalty spot.
Huckerby won it, making the most of a slip by Stearman to dart inside and see his shot blocked by the hand of Patrick Kisnorbo in the area.
Referee Webster pointed to the spot, and Earnshaw showed he'd lost none of his coolness following his enforced break, sending Logan the wrong way and planting a side-footed effort into the bottom left corner of the net.
And the striker ran away to celebrate in typically acrobatic style in front of the jubilant travelling fans.
And less than two minutes later the turnaround was complete as Norwich took the lead.
Eagle earned a corner away on the left, and Huckerby delivered a peach of the ball onto the head of Jason Shackell six yards out to send a bouncing header into the top corner of the net.
It was a great finish, and prompted the first chants of the day of "Worthy, what's the score?" from the Norwich fans.
With Leicester desperately needing something from the game, they pushed forward in numbers, with Shackell having to be alert to turn a low cross from Newton away to safety inside his own six-yard box on 82 minutes.
With just a few minutes of normal time remaining, Leicester began to opt for a more direct approach. But to their credit, the pairing of Shackell and Dublin were providing stern resistance.
But with the game in the 90th minute it took another wonder save from Warner to preserve City's lead. A deep free kick was missed by everyone except Kisnorbo, who sent in a bullet header from no more than six yards.
But Warner threw himself to his right to keep Norwich ahead as four minutes of injury time was signalled.
On the break, Croft went up the other end and forced a great stop by Logan, before Kris Renton replaced Lee Croft to become the youngest ever Norwich City player at 16 years and 276 days.
Full time: Leicester 1-2 Norwich City
Leicester City: Logan, Kenton (Stearman 38), McAuley (Mattock 76), Kisnorbo, Johansson, Newton, Jarrett, Wesolowski, Porter, Hume, Fryatt (Horsfield 65). Subs: Henderson, Hammond.
Norwich City: Warner, Colin, Dublin, Shackell, Drury (Eagle 2), Croft (Renton 90), Hughes, Spillane (Earnshaw 70), Etuhu, Huckerby, Martin. Subs: Gallacher, Cave-Brown.
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