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"I thought that the first half was disappointing when we gave the ball away on two occasions with giving the ball away sloppily and against a good side like Romania they took advantage and scored two goal, one right on the half-time whistle so that was disappointing," said Roy.

Roy changed it about at half-time bringing on some of the Irish League players who had featured the previous afternoon and hit back with a goal from Linfield striker Thomas Stewart but as they searched for an equalizer the pace and precision of the Romanian attack killed off any hopes of a comeback.

"Second half was a much much better performance and at 2-1 we looked as if we were in the game and were fighting for an equalizer and then again I felt that we gave away the ball away just that a little easily from the back four and at this level they are quick enough and good enough and they punished us," he added.

"Then the last ten minutes it is all us but you can't give soft goals away at this level. Overall, with seven of our squad involved with club duties Monday and Tuesday with the Irish and English Leagues it gave everyone some match time. Some people cemented their places in the side and it let me have a look at the subs that maybe have a little bit more to do," said Roy.

Northern Ireland don't play again until September when they travel to Germany in their final group qualifier and needing other results to go their way, however, Roy is pleased with the depth of his squad after injuries and call-ups to the senior squad.

"If you also take into consideration the injuries to Kieran McKenna, Jamie Ward and Craig Cathcart along with the four players promoted to the senior side it shows we have a big squad and competition for places can only be good for the development and future of football in Northern Ireland," he added.