Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez said they had got out of jail with Maik Taylor's late penalty save in the 1-1 draw away to Malta. "We did not win because we did not perform as we can," said Sanchez.
"The Malta lad scored an unbelievable goal and if you give teams chances someone is going to take one.
"I take full responsibility for our poor display in the first half. If we had lost the match I would have been bitterly disappointed."
The match had taken a dramatic twist late on when both teams were reduced to 10 men.
Keith Gillespie's challenge on Andrew Cohen incensed team-mate Ivan Woods so much he appeared to slap him in the 77th minute.
Premiership referee Mike Riley immediately dismissed Gillespie and Woods, who had earlier equalised for Malta.
It was claimed Gillespie had also raised his hands and Sanchez said: "If that is the case he is as responsible as the other lad, which is disappointing.
"What I saw was Keith kicking the ball back when a free-kick was awarded and then there was a fracas.
"It is a shame he got involved but to be fair to Keith, he is a lad who plays with a lot of heart and commitment when he puts the shirt on.
"We have not always seen eye to eye, especially in my earlier days, but he is a full-blooded player and one of our better performers against Malta."
MMIX
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