David Healy in action against Italy in Campobasso

Striker David Healy has said Northern Ireland had nothing to be ashamed about after losing to Italy on Tuesday night.

The result meant the Northern Ireland goal drought reached the 882-minute mark but Healy felt there was no disgrace in losing 2-0 to one of football's superpowers.

Six youngsters made their international debuts for Northern Ireland in a friendly match in Campobasso staged to raise money for victims of last year's earthquake.

Northern Ireland's next match is a European Championships qualifying game against Spain in Belfast on 11 June.

Healy, who burst on to the international scene in 2000 with a flurry of goals, would settle with just one now to end his country's frustrating scoring famine.

"We are obviously disappointed not to have scored but we played well," said Healy.

"The young lads really played and battled well.

"We would have preferred to get a better result ahead of the Spain match.

"They are another top-class nation. With the new lads, there should not be any problems."

The six new kids on the block - Southampton's Chris Baird, Bristol City's Tommy Doherty, Glentoran's Andrew Smith, Crewe Alexandra's Steve Jones, Leyton Orient's Ciaran Toner and Portadown's Gary Hamilton all got invaluable playing time.

Important matches

McIlroy was especially fond of Jones who came on as a second half substitute.

"He almost scored a goal. He will be a hell of a player once he has the experience and more games under his belt," said the NI boss.

Despite resting many of their best players for more important matches ahead, Italy held the upper-hand throughout.

However, the Northern Ireland defence kept the Italians at bay for long spells and allowed only Bernardo Corradi and Marco Delvecchio to find the back of the net.

It was enough to please Italy boss Giovanni Trapattoni, who spoke of a "good game" and also welcomed the opportunity to make seven substitutions.

Trapattoni was impressed by Irish League star Smith, crediting the 22-year-old with causing Italian skipper Fabio Cannavaro, one of the world's finest defenders, some difficulty.

Smith, in the meantime, felt "very proud of winning his first cap against Italy of all countries".