A 96th-minute equaliser from David Healy saved Northern Ireland's blushes this evening, grabbing them a point against Azerbaijan.

© PA Photos

The hosts could have taken the lead within four minutes when Niall McGinn's cross found Kyle Lafferty, but the striker headed over from close range.

Azerbaijan punished Northern Ireland for this miss just one minute later when Rauf Aliyev fired in from distance to give his side the lead.

Lafferty squandered another good chance after 29 minutes, firing his shot straight at the keeper having been found by Steven Davis.

The hosts continued to create goalscoring chances, but couldn't seem to find the net as Craig Cathcart twice headed wide when he should have scored, and Daniel Lafferty nodded over from a good position before half-time.

The second half began in a similar fashion, Lafferty this time acting as provider for Dean Shiels, but again the shot was straight at the keeper.

The visitors almost stole a second on the hour mark as Cihan Ozkara was denied by Roy Carroll before Chris Baird went up the other end and became the latest player to miss a gilt-edge chance with his head.

Brunt once again headed wide when he should have done better before the hosts finally got the equaliser deep into stoppage time, courtesy of David Healy's free kick.

Written by
Barney Corkhill