Faroe Islands 1 Northern Ireland 1: Profligate Irish finishing spares Faroe Islands

After the satisfaction of holding former world champions Italy to a draw last Friday they had to settle for a point against one of football's lesser lights despite having the majority of possession.

It could have been even worse as well as Christian Holst gave the home team the lead.

Kyle Lafferty, who regained his place in the side at the expense of David Healy, salvaged some pride by scoring the equaliser.

Lafferty could have made an early breakthrough for the visitors when he got on the end of a cross from Gareth McAuley but sent a soft header into the arms of goalkeeper Jakup Mikkelsen.

He had two further efforts saved before going really close to breaking the deadlock when his pace took him clear but Mikkelsen turned his effort over.

Goalkeeper Maik Taylor had to make a good block from Frodji Benjaminsen after the Faroe Islands broke away following a mistake by Stephen Craigan.

It was a brief respite for the home side with Jonny Evans cracking in a shot from distance that was deflected by Lafferty and went wide.

Northern Ireland should have taken the lead in the 50th minute when Steve Davis threaded the ball through the middle.

Niall McGinn was first to react but only succeeded in finding the side netting when he should have hit the target.

Healy was quickly into the action after replacing Feeney and Mikkelsen had to make a smart save from him.

Mikkelsen came to the Faroes' rescue five minutes later when he clawed away a towering header from Lafferty.

The Irish were made to pay in the 61st minute when the Faroes took the lead. Holst took advantage of some slack defensive work to steer a shot beyond Taylor and into the net.

Ireland's pressure paid off in the 76th minute when Lafferty equalised. He linked up well with winger Chris Brunt before steering his effort home via the post for his eighth goal in 28 international appearances.

Faroe Islands: Mikkelsen, Naes, Jacobsen, Davidsen, Gregersen, Udsen (Petersen 67), Benjaminsen, Samuelsen (Arnbjorn Hansen 78), Holst (Justinus Hansen 84), Edmundsson, Elttor. Unused substitutes: Thomsen, Rubeksen, Bo, Mouritsen.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley, Jonathan Evans, Craigan, Hughes, Baird, Davis, McGinn (Corry Evans 83), Brunt, Feeney (Healy 50), Lafferty. Unused substitutes: Tuffey, Clingan, McCann, Patterson, Gorman.

Referee: C Zimmermann (Switzerland).