Northern Ireland hang on to clinch vital victory
Jonny Evans scored Northern Ireland's second goal
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Saturday, 28, Mar 2009 10:22
Northern Ireland have kept their World Cup qualification hopes alive with a 3-2 win over Poland at Windsor Park.
Goals from Warren Feeney, Jonny Evans and a comical own goal moved Northern Ireland onto ten points from five games, while Ireneusz Jelen and Marek Saganowski responded for the Poles.
With Kyle Lafferty out, Feeney partnered David Healy in attack for the group three clash.
And it was Feeney who was presented with the first chance after a defensive error but the striker could only drag his shot across goal, while Healy had an effort blocked by the keeper.
The home side's bright start was rewarded on ten minutes when Feeney scored from Damien Johnson's flicked header for his fourth international goal.
But their lead lasted only 17 minutes as Ireneusz Jelen beat the off-side trap to slide the ball under Maik Taylor, which led to the linesman needing treatment after being struck by an object hurled from the crowd.
The second half was just as entertaining and the home side made the ideal start by regaining the lead. Grant McCann's corner fell to Evans, who stroked the ball in from six yards on 47 minutes.
They were then dealt a blow when Chris Brunt picked up a yellow card, which means he will miss Wednesday's qualifier against Slovenia at Windsor Park.
But they sealed victory in comic fashion when Michal Zewlakow's backpass was missed by keeper Artur Boruc as he attempted to clear and the ball ended up in the back of the net on 61 minutes.
The hosts continued their grip on the game with Healy's shot blocked by Boruc, while Gareth McAuley headed over.
Poland set-up a tense finish when Saganowski scored a diving header in stoppage time, but Nigel Worthington's men hung on for a crucial win.