Northern Ireland and Israel have failed to break the deadlock in the first half of their World Cup Group F qualifier at Windsor Park in Belfast.

The visitors made the brighter start of the two teams and were unlucky not to make the breakthrough after just four minutes when Itay Shechter struck the post from inside the penalty area.

The Israelis continued to pile the pressure on their hosts in the opening minutes, but Northern Ireland's defence, led by Jonny Evans, stood strong.

Then on 19 minutes the home team created a good chance when Steven Davis spread a pass inside the Israeli penalty box that Martin Paterson failed to make his own.

Northern Ireland created a flurry of chances around the half-hour mark, but Chris Brunt, Paterson, Davis and Kyle Lafferty all were denied by desperate Israeli defending.

Lafferty created a good chance for Sammy Clingan before the break, but the midfielder failed to keep his shot on target.