 Dean Shiels in action against Gregor Robertson at the Oval |
Sammy Morrow stepped off the bench to cap a dream debut for Northern Ireland with the winner in Tuesday's Under-21 friendly against Scotland in Belfast. Morrow scored in the 59th minute, only three minutes after coming on.
It was no more than Northern Ireland deserved after a great fightback with Chris Brunt pulling them level after Shaun Maloney had opened the scoring.
Under manager Rainer Bonhof, the Scots youngsters have now failed to register a victory in 11 games.
Scotland opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Celtic's Maloney, recently back from injury, rifled the ball home after great work by Mark Wilson.
It could have been two a minute later but goalkeeper Michael McGovern did well to parry Steven Whittaker's well-struck drive.
Northern Ireland drew level two minutes into the second half when Brunt rattled a superb 25-yard free-kick in off the post.
That marvellous strike gave the home side a huge lift at the start of the second half.
Morrow came on for his Hibs team-mate Shiels in the 56th minute and marked his debut for Northern Ireland by putting them ahead.
Brunt carved out the opening down the left and swept the ball across. With the Scottish defenders hesitating Morrow nipped in to score.
N Ireland U21: McGovern, Ward (Gault 46), Friars, Hughes, Webb, McCrystal, Gilfillan (Murtagh 80), Clingan, Braniff (Teggart 76), Shiels (Morrow 56), Brunt.
Subs Not Used: Julian, Lindsay, McLean, McCourt.
Booked: Hughes.
Goals: Brunt 47, Morrow 59.
Scotland U21: Samson, Dowie, Morrison, Whittaker (Hutton 46), Robertson, McCunnie, Brighton (Clarkson 78), Wilson, Duffy, Maloney, Leven (Burke 66).
Subs Not Used: Smith, Quinn, Rankin, Lawson, Prunty, Turner.
Goals: Maloney 36.
Att: 1,300
Ref: Ian Stokes (Dublin).
MMIX
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