Northern Ireland go top

Northern Ireland suddenly have a chink of light in their bid to book a ticket to the World Cup finals in South Africa next year after they beat Poland 3-2.

Manager Nigel Worthington saw his side go top of Group Three after a rousing victory at Windsor Park. It was just the result he was looking for with Slovenia due to arrive in Belfast on Wednesday. Northern Ireland may have played a game more than their rivals but this win will surely boost their confidence.

Poland, meanwhile, were left to rue their luck with Michal Zewlakow scoring a bizarre own goal. Warren Feeney started the ball rolling and Jonny Evans weighed in with his first goal for the province to spark a night of celebrations in the capital.

Northern Ireland took the lead in the 10th minute when Chris Brunt hoisted the ball to the back post, Damien Johnson headed it into the area and Feeney made no mistake from close range for his fourth goal at this level.

Poland, however, broke out of their slumber to equalise in the 27th minute by springing the offside trap.

Ireneusz Jelen raced away and, although goalkeeper Maik Taylor got a hand to his effort, he was unable to prevent the ball going in the net.

But Northern Ireland were celebrating a minute into the second half as they regained the lead. Evans scored his first goal for the province, sweeping the ball home beyond Artur Boruc following an inswinging corner from Grant McCann.

Northern Ireland extended their lead in the 61st minute thanks to a bizarre own goal from Zewlakow. He looked on in disbelief as his back pass was completely missed by Boruc, the ball bobbling on the rutted pitch and bouncing over his foot.

Northern Ireland almost made it 4-1 in the 74th minute when Gareth McAuley peeled away from his marker but headed over the bar following a corner from McCann.

Poland pulled a goal back in stoppage-time when substitute Marek Saganowski scored with a header following a cross from Jakub Wawrzyniak but it was too little, too late.