Tomas Hubschman and Grant McCann challenge for the ball in Prague

Northern Ireland finished fourth in World Cup Qualifying Group Three after ending their campaign with a 0-0 draw against the Czech Republic in Prague.

Niall McGinn had the best chance of a low-key, uninspiring first half but he scuffed his shot and Petr Cech managed to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Damien Johnson cleared a Tomas Sivok header off the line before the break.

Late in the game Milan Baros failed to get on the end of a cross and Maik Taylor saved from Marek Jankulovski.

After a slow start to the game, Tomas Necid had a header blocked by Taylor in the 25th minute.

Five minutes before the break Cech tipped the ball round the post after McGinn scuffed his shot in front of goal.

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Johnson found Steven Davis who scooped the ball in to the path of McGinn, who was unable to get enough contact on the ball to score his first international goal.

Gareth McAuley looked to have fouled David Jarolim inside the penalty area in the 42nd minute but the referee waved play on.

Moments later Johnson cleared off the line from Sivok's header from a Tomas Rosicky corner.

Nigel Worthington's side had the first chance of the second half when McGinn went on a good run down the left wing but his shot drifted wide of the post.

Stephen Craigan cleared the danger after Jaroslav Plasil shot towards goal and then Taylor stretched to push over Plasil's inswinging corner.

Baros just failed to get on the end of a left-wing cross in the 81st minute.

Jankulovski fired in a late drive but Taylor produced a fine save as the Czechs pushed for a winning goal but Northern Ireland held on for a creditable draw.

Czech Republic: Cech, Pospech, Hubnik, Sivok, Jankulovski, Jarolim, Hubcshman, Rosicky, Plasil, Baros, Necid.Subs: Kinsky, Grygera, Hlousek, Rozenhal, Stajner, Papadopulos, Pudil.

N Ireland: Taylor; McAuley, McGivern, Craigan, Hughes; Baird, Davis, McGinn, McCann, Johnson, Healy. Subs: Tuffey, Mannus, Coates, Feeney, O'Connor, Kirk, McCourt.

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