Stoke 2-2 Norwich: Canaries twice surrender the lead as they are made to wait for Premier League promotion Onel Hernandez scored in 24th minute to hand Daniel Farke's side the lead The winger beat Jack Butland with a powerful low drive at the Bet365 stadium Defender Ashley Williams hauled Stoke level with a powerful header Teemu Pukki put Norwich ahead for three minutes until Thomas Edwards struckBy Laurie Whitwell for MailOnline Published: 17:05 BST, 22 April 2019 | Updated: 17:09 BST, 22 April 2019 Viewcomments Norwich are edging closer to the Premier League but this fourth draw in a row must feel like Chinese water torture for everyone decked in yellow. It still seems inevitable they will end their three-year exile from the top-flight – and should Leeds lose at Brentford on Monday evening promotion would be effectively guaranteed – yet the drip, drip, drip, drip of one point at a time is an agonising way to do it. That certainly appeared the feeling among a number of Norwich players who fell to the turf at the final whistle, exhausted from their efforts and deflated that a victory twice in their grasp slipped away. Onel Hernandez fires home inside the penalty area to give Norwich the lead over Stoke Ashley Williams equalised with a header from a corner at the start of the second half As they walked off their fans reminded them they are top of the league but the gap to Sheffield United is now three points. Leeds can reach the same total by winning at Griffin Park but should they lose, Norwich’s goal-difference advantage of eight will widen and put Daniel Farke’s side on the brink. Stoke could have taken the lead in the 11th minute but Sam Clucas sent his free header from Tom Edwards’ cross over and from there Norwich imposed their quality in measured style. Emiliano Buendia was back from suspension and his free-kick from deep created their first chance. The ball flicked on off Ashley Williams to find Teemu Pukki in space for a diving header, but Jack Butland spread himself to block. Norwich would not be denied though and they went ahead midway through the half. Onel Hernandez started a move that gave Jamal Lewis opportunity to cross from the left. Teemu Pukki then struck to give Norwich the lead for the second time against Stoke Pukki celebrates scoring with his head as Norwich pushed for another crucial victory Edwards cut it out but the ball went straight to Hernandez, who took a touch before shooting hard and low. Butland got a hand to it but the net bulged and the yellow wall at the other end burst into celebration. In the directors box Delia Smith stood to applaud, while a few more thousand watching on special screens in the stands back at Carrow Road did likewise. Stoke emerged for the second half carrying a much better tempo and got level within two minutes. Williams met Thibaud Verlinden’s corner on the run and stooped to head with enough power that Tim Krul could not push it wide. Soon after Sam Clucas wasted an excellent opportunity when the ball fell his way in the box, sending his effort over. Farke reacted quickly by sending on Mario Vrancic, scorer of Norwich’s 97th minute equaliser against Sheffield Wednesday on Good Friday, and within 12 minutes he had made another telling contribution. Vrancic picked out a gorgeous cross and Pukki stole in ahead of Williams to glance past Butland for his 28th Championship goal of the campaign. Norwich were ahead for three minutes, with Tom Edwards getting another equaliser for Stoke The wait goes on for Daniel Farke as his side close in on promotion to the Premier League A fourth straight draw has meant for a torturous wait for the Norwich supporters This lead was even shorter-lived however, with Stoke equalising for a second time three minutes later. Hernandez was guilty of trying to overplay when helping out defensively and slipped at a crucial moment to gift Edwards possession. The young full-back took full advantage, striding into the box and hitting a sharp shot that flew into the far corner. It was some way to score his first goal for Stoke. Norwich, who have scored late so many times, pressed once more. Lewis went close with a low drive, and Ben Godfrey connected with a corner only for Butland to save. But a third goal was beyond their grasp. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility