Norway kept their Euro 2012 qualifying hopes on track in Oslo tonight, although

it needed a late penalty to see off Group H rivals Iceland.

The home side dominated their Nordic neighbours but appeared to be heading for

an evening of disappointment until Mohamed Abdellaoui scored from the spot after

a challenge on substitute John Carew.

The win takes Norway above another regional rival Denmark, with the two teams

set to meet in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

Iceland came into the contest with just a single point to their name in the

group, but almost shocked their hosts within the opening two minutes as Rurik

Gislason's 20-yard strike had to be parried away by Rune Almenning Jarstein.

The island nation came even closer to scoring minutes later with a close-range

header from Solvi Jonsson which fell just past the left post.

Norway took their time to settle before Kjetil Waehler threatened after 18

minutes with a header from Jonathan Parr's corner which the defender put wide.

That sparked the home side to life and Henning Hauger, Tom Hogli and Alexander

Tettey all had chances which narrowly missed the mark.

Hogli's cross-shot then had to be tipped around the post by Stefan Magnusson,

with the Iceland goalkeeper getting his hands to another effort from Hauger soon

after.

Norway continued to pile on the pressure after the interval and Magnusson made

another excellent stop to push away Parr's left-footed strike from a few yards

out.

It was proving to be a frustrating night for Egil Olsen's men and luck was once

more against them after 68 minutes when Tettey hit a powerful shot which

cannoned back off the post.

West Ham striker Carew replaced Christian Grindheim after 80 minutes as Olsen

tried to boost his misfiring front line.

And the move paid dividends two minutes from time when Carew won a penalty for

his side after he received a push in the back during a tussle with Magnusson.

Abdellaoui took the kick and added to the goalkeeper's misery with a cool

left-footed strike into the top-right corner.