Northern Ireland 1 Latvia 0: Healy keeps Northern Ireland in touch with the leaders

David Healy struck the only goal here last night in this Euro 2008 qualifier to make sure Northern Ireland continued their recent upward curve. The Leeds striker grabbed the winner with a glorious strike in the 35th minute to take his tally to 24 in 54 appearances but, perhaps more importantly, to keep the province in with a shout of qualifying.

"The fans have been great to me, but what I say to the fans is, 'Concentrate on the team'," said Lawrie Sanchez, the Northern Ireland manager. "They are the ones who deserve it. After Iceland [a 3-0 defeat] we were considered by some a poor side. We were never a poor side. Since then you have seen great character from a group of 20 individuals."

The hosts made a fine start, with Kyle Lafferty shooting just wide of Aleksandrs Kolinko's goal. Latvia looked to play on the counter-attack but rarely threatened Maik Taylor at the other end.

Northern Ireland stepped up the pressure after half an hour and the breakthrough soon followed courtesy of record scorer Healy. Keith Gillespie started the move and Healy lifted the ball over Maris Smirnovs before slipping it past Kolinko.

Healy continued to cause problems with his pace and movement after half-time, while Steven Davis dictated play from midfield. Davis had an effort disallowed for offside and Sammy Clingan could have sealed it late on but scuffed his shot wide.

Northern Ireland (4-4-2): Taylor (Birmingham City); Baird (Southampton), Craigan (Motherwell), Hughes (Aston Villa), Evans (Antwerp); Gillespie (Sheffield United), Davis (Aston Villa), Johnson (Birmingham City), Clingan (Nottingham Forest); Healy (Leeds United), Lafferty (Burnley). Substitutes used: Quinn (Northampton Town) for Lafferty, 88; Feeney (Luton) for Healy, 90.

Latvia (4-3-1-2): Kolinko; Stepanovs, Astafjevs, Zirnis, Laizans; Kacanovs, Solonicins, Smirnovs; Verpakovskis; Karlsons, Pahars. Substitutes not used: Piedels, Ivanovs, Gorkss, Surnins, Visnjakovs, Kalnins, Grebis.

Referee: H Fleischer (Germany).