McQuoid scores his second, lobbing Scott Gallacher then firing home
Two goals on the break by Josh McQuoid put Northern Ireland on their way to victory after the Scots had taken a third-minute lead through Jamie Murphy.
Scotland captain Paul Caddis created the opener for Murphy to find the net, but the home defence was ripped open by the pace of Bournemouth's McQuoid.
He lobbed Alan Martin for the equaliser and on 26 minutes dinked the ball over sub keeper Scott Gallacher to score.
Andrew Little lashed home from close range for Northern Ireland's third.
The result will be a disappointment for Scotland coach Billy Stark, but Northern Ireland were well worth their victory.
Northern Ireland boss Steve Beaglehole handed debuts to Newcastle's Shane Ferguson, the impressive McQuoid and Robin Shroot of Ryman Premier League side Harrow Borough.
The opening goal was the product of a purposeful run by Caddis down the right.
The Celtic player cut the ball back across goal and Motherwell's Murphy, winning his second cap, hammered the ball home from eight yards.
In the ninth minute a long ball up the park was flicked on to McQuoid, who ran through on keeper Alan Martin and lobbed the Leeds goalie for the equaliser.
Northern Ireland's second was again well executed by McQuoid.
The Scotland central defence of Alex Pearce and Jamie Duff was gaping when Adam Chapman launched a long ball down the middle.
McQuoid used his devastating pace to race towards goal, lob Gallacher and thump the ball into the net beyond the despairing Scot.
Scotland blew the chance to equalise just before half-time when they were awarded a rather soft penalty, German referee Babak Rafati deciding Daniel Lafferty had fouled Kevin McDonald.
Falkirk midfielder Scott Arfield tried to place the spot kick low to Trevor Carson's right but the keeper made a fine parry and the ball was cleared.
Andrew Little put the young Irishmen further ahead early in the second half, lashing the ball past Rangers team-mate Gallacher from close range after good wing play on the right.
Scotland continually tried to profit down the right in the second half, but a well organised defence and the imposing figure of Carson in goals meant Northern Ireland held on for a deserved victory.
Scotland manager Billy Stark:
"The boys started the game the way we'd have hoped. We scored the goal and created the other chance, but we were punished.
"It is indicative of the situation we're in where you're putting players together for the first time and two centre-halves challenge for the same ball and allow the player to run through to score.
"We've got players that can threaten teams. That's a big bonus for us because that is the hard part of the game. The part of the game that we need to improve on is the easier part, where we got fundamentals wrong.
"Northern Ireland looked threatening every time they went forward because there was a nervousness through the mistakes for the first two goals.
"If you don't have the basis to win the game by defending properly then you won't win the game, and that is what happened tonight."
Northern Ireland manager Steve Beaglehole:
"We played very well in patches. What was pleasing was that we scored three goals tonight and we looked like a threat. On the other side of the coin, we have to tighten up in situations at the back.
"We wanted a good start and a clean sheet and two minutes have gone and we've failed in both instances.
"After Carson saved the penalty, we controlled the game and played some good football.
"I was pleased with Josh McQuoid. He ran the line well and took his goals well."
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