Josh Magennis headed within the winner in stoppage time as Northern Ireland got here from behind to lastly finish their Nations League hoodoo with a 2-1 victory over Kosovo at Windsor Park.
Ten minutes after substitute Gavin Whyte had given Northern Ireland hope with the equaliser, the Cardiff winger despatched within the cross for Magennis to energy dwelling a much-needed winner for Northern Ireland and their supervisor Ian Baraclough.
An afternoon that started with Conor McMenamin changing into the second participant in as many days to be despatched dwelling from the squad as a result of a video circulating on-line threatened to get a lot worse after Vedat Muriqi’s 58th-minute strike had followers as soon as once more calling for the supervisor’s head.
But as a substitute Northern Ireland claimed three factors on this competitors for the primary time in 15 makes an attempt, shifting away from the speedy risk of relegation to the underside tier.
After a depressing run of ends in June had left his aspect in a dangerous place, Baraclough had sought to inject optimism this week, speaking up the return of key gamers who missed these summer time fixtures.
It was mirrored on a workforce sheet which confirmed eight modifications from the 2-2 draw with Cyprus right here three and a half months in the past, with Jamal Lewis making his first look since final November and the likes of Corry Evans, Tom Flanagan and Magennis again within the fold.
But there was no McMenamin on the teamsheet, and fewer than an hour earlier than kick-off the Irish FA introduced the 27-year-old, who solely made his debut in June, had been despatched dwelling after a video emerged showing to point out the Glentoran winger singing a pro-IRA slogan.
That got here a day after Kyle Lafferty had been despatched dwelling amid an investigation by his membership Kilmarnock right into a video showing to point out him utilizing alleged sectarian language.
The depressing temper continued as Kosovo, 3-2 winners over Northern Ireland in Pristina earlier this 12 months, threatened early on.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell couldn’t maintain Florent Muslija’s shot and was grateful to see Milot Rashica scuff the follow-up, earlier than then denying Rashica once more and seeing Fidan Aliti hook a shot over.
It took quarter-hour for Northern Ireland to threaten, with Betim Fazliji nearly turning the ball into his personal web after Magennis despatched Paddy McNair’s cross goalwards.
There was a greater probability shortly earlier than the break as Dion Charles – making his first begin as he received a twelfth cap – broke away from Fazliji however then positioned his shot too near goalkeeper Ari Muric – the person who retains Peacock-Farrell on the bench at Burnley.
At the beginning of the second half George Saville slipped the ball via to Conor Bradley, who neatly turned inside to get away from his defender however then couldn’t get sufficient energy right into a left-footed shot.
Charles had the ball within the web within the fifty fifth minute after Saville performed a ball down the center, however the Bolton striker was denied his first worldwide purpose as he was properly offside.
And it obtained a lot worse for Northern Ireland simply three minutes later as Kosovo’s file goalscorer Muriqi discovered the underside nook with a crisp shot from the sting of the world.
Northern Ireland rallied. Muriqi blocked Jonny Evans’ header on the road, then Muric stored out a looping effort from Magennis.
Peacock-Farrell then made a significant save to disclaim Muriqi what would have been the killer blow, and moments later Northern Ireland had been stage as Shayne Lavery, simply on as an alternative, wriggled freed from Fazliji and ran in direction of purpose, discovering visitors however squaring the ball for fellow substitute Whyte to fireplace dwelling.
Peacock-Farrell made one other save to disclaim Zymer Bytyqi and Magennis capitalised on the loss of life.
