Northern Ireland 1 - 0 Slovenia

N. Ireland 2-1 Slovenia: Feeney continues fairytale

Updated: April 1, 2009, 8:00 AM UK

On-loan Dundee United striker Warren Feeney sent Belfast into raptures as he grabbed the winner in the 73rd minute in this World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park.

• Worthington hails table toppers

It means Northern Ireland remarkably remain top of Group Three and still in with a shout of making it to South Africa.

After a poor start to their campaign they have suddenly become the team to beat.

Feeney has now taken over the mantle from David Healy and this was his second successive goal after he made the breakthrough against Poland at the weekend.

In the process Northern Ireland have won four successive qualifiers for the first time in their history.

Yet manager Nigel Worthington had to make two changes during the game with Chris Baird and Ryan McGivern coming on for Gareth McAuley and George McCartney.

After their splendid victory against Poland, Northern Ireland found it a struggle in the first half. But that barren spell was soon forgotten thanks to Feeney's goal

Slovenia almost took the lead in the 10th minute but goalkeeper Maik Taylor did well to parry Miso Brecko's close range effort after he was released inside the area by Bostjan Cesar.

Taylor may be 37 but the Birmingham shot-stopper proved he is as sharp as ever with that block.

Worthington was then forced to make a change six minutes later when McAuley limped off and was replaced by Chris Baird.

Slovenia, who chalked up a 2-0 victory earlier in the campaign, were looking far more assured at this stage than Poland.

Northern Ireland again found themselves on the back foot in the 22nd minute when Andrej Komac swung in a corner, only for skipper Aaron Hughes to stay alert and make the clearance.

They responded in the 30th minute when Healy seized on a half chance, only to spoon his effort over the bar.

Healy snatched at it, perhaps in his desperation to add to his tally of one goal in the campaign.

It has been a poor return for the Sunderland striker after his record 13-goal haul in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Baird and Healy then both went to ground quickly but Israeli referee Alon Yefet allowed play to continue.

That decision incensed Worthington, who raced out of his technical area to protest.

Northern Ireland boss Worthington made a change at half-time with young Manchester City defender McGivern replacing McCartney.

The province made a bright start to the second half with Healy whipping in a cross that tested the goalkeeper.

Then in the 56th minute Damien Johnson headed over the bar at the back post following a corner from McCann.

The game was becoming scrappy with neither goalkeeper really being tested.

However that did not prevent the partisan crowd from giving their side tremendous vocal backing.

Slovenia almost went ahead in the 67th minute when skipper Robert Koren raced forward and cracked in a shot from 25 yards that came back off the bar.

The West Brom midfielder was left shaking his head in frustration at seeing Northern Ireland escape.

Northern Ireland made the breakthrough in the 73rd minute with Feeney finding the target.

The on-loan Dundee United striker glanced a header beyond the goalkeeper after a good build up involving Sammy Clingan and Johnson to prompt another night of celebrations in the old town.

Worthington hails table toppers

Northern Ireland's class of 2009 took their place in the province's football folklore with a hard-fought victory against Slovenia in a World Cup qualifier.

He said: "It is nice to make history and I am delighted for the players. All the way through they have been fantastic. They've not always had the rub of the green. We had to make it happen tonight and we did.

"You have to work hard, that is key. The players had the bit between their teeth. They have taken all the information on board and put it into practice. It was a fight but we knew it was going to be like that. Slovenia are a good side, big and strong.

"The first half was like a heavyweight boxing match. It was blow for blow. We had to increase our energy levels in the second half. We did that and got our reward with a very good goal. We also kept a clean sheet which was pleasing. ''

Feeney scored his second goal in successive games with a glancing header following good work from Damien Johnson and Sammy Clingan.

He has picked up the baton from David Healy, who scored a record 13 goals in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Healy put in a hard shift but was out of luck as Belfast prepared for another long night of celebration.

Worthington said: "I am delighted and pleased for Warren. He has been playing wide right for his club and is the type who will do anything for a manager. But this could be a message that if you put him up front he could get you some goals.

"You have to give great credit to him and David as well. He worked as hard as anyone but it is not dropping for him at the moment.''

Asked where he thought Northern Ireland would finish in the group, Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek said: "Behind Slovenia.

"They managed to win with their only effort on target. It was amazing. We had bad luck. But we can beat any team and are aiming to take 12 points from our last four matches.''