Release Date: 03/09/2010

A CORRY Evans goal handed Northern Ireland victory over Slovenia in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Maribor.

The 20-year-old, only on the pitch three minutes, grabbed the winner with 20 minutes remaining when he connected with a low Craig Cathcart cross to the far post to touch the ball home from two yards.

The goal was enough to break the scoring drought that had dogged the team in recent games.

Under normal circumstances a victory over a side fresh from the World Cup finals would be noteworthy enough but to do it away from home adds an extra significance to the result given Northern Ireland’s notorious record on the road.

But none of that will matter tonight. All that matters is the result and the precious three points in a group containing sides of the calibre of Italy and Serbia, a group that will go to the proverbial wire.

Northern Ireland started in a determined mood, creating many promising openings but without the bite in front of goal needed to beat Samir Handanovic.

David Healy made a nuisance of himself, Warren Feeney failed to find the target with his back to the goal while a Chris Baird effort from 25 yards drifted wide.

Slowly but surely Slovenia came more into the game and almost snatched the lead seven minutes from time when Milivoje Novakovic met an Andraz Kirm cross with a soft header straight into the arms of a grateful Maik Taylor.

After the break Cathcart, who grew in stature as his full debut progressed, turned a Valter Birsa attempt away to safety while, at the other end, Healy burst clear from a Chris Brunt through ball but could only send his shot straight at Handanovic.

Slovenia pushed forward again and were denied on 64 minutes by skipper Stephen Craigan – winning his 50^th cap – who blocked a Robert Koren shot on the line.

A short time later Evans came on for Grant McCann and within three minutes helped himself to what will be a famous winner.

There were still 20 agonising minutes to hang on and at times Slovenia did come close, notably an 81^st minute Zlatan Ljubijankic drive into the side netting.

But, despite a further four minutes of stoppage time, Northern Ireland held on to record a famous victory.

Serbia top Group C at this early stage following their 3-0 defeat of Faroe Islands in Torshavn while Italy had to come from behind to record a 2-1 over Estonia in Tallinn.

The former World Cup winners are Northern Ireland’s next opponents when they visit Windsor Park on October 8^th.

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Slovenia: S. Handanovic, Brecko, Cesar, Koren, Ljubijankic, Birsa, Novakovic, Jokic, Kirm, Radosavljevic, Mavric subs J. Handanovic (not used), Suler (not used), Illic (not used), Dedic (replaced Novakovic 74), Illcic (replaced Kirm 74), Stevanovic (not used), Matavz (replaced Ljubijankic 88)

Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley, Cathcart, Craigan, Baird, Davis, McCann, Healy, Feeney, Brunt, Hughes subs Tuffey (not used), Clingan (not used), C. Evans (replaced McCann 67), Lafferty (replaced Healy 67), Paterson (not used), Patterson (not used), Gorman (replaced Brunt 89)

Booked: Healy 26, Brunt 47, Lafferty 83

Referee: Pavel Balaj (Rom)

Watch the match highlights on Irish FA TV

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