Northern Ireland vs Slovenia: Conor Washington proves he's a winner as Michael O'Neill's team claim record

Northern Ireland 1 Slovenia 0: The home side looked comfortable defensively but created little going forward

Conor Washington scored his first goal for Northern Ireland (AFP)

Conor Washington’s first Northern Ireland goal helped them set a record of 10 games unbeaten with victory over Slovenia in Belfast.

Michael O’Neill’s class of 2016 eclipsed the nine-match streak Billy Bingham’s team managed when they reached the 1986 World Cup and Kent-born Washingtonwas the match-winner.

Goalkeeper Roy Carroll, 38, then saved a second-half penalty from substitute Milivoje Novakovic as the Northern Irish bandwagon carried on rolling ahead of their participation in Euro 2016 this summer.

Carroll said: “I’ve been watching their penalties the last two days. I guessed the right way. He went that way in the videos.

“I’ve had some bad nights at Windsor Park but tonight was fantastic.”

The home side looked comfortable defensively but, as was the case against Wales four days earlier, they were creating little going forward.

Washington made his Northern Ireland debut in that game, qualifying under the grandparent rule, and the QPR forward last night gave the first indication of why O’Neill was keen to bring him in.

Oliver Norwood poked a pass through to him and Washington breezed past a wrong-footed Miral Samardzic to create the space for a shot which the Slovenia goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, repelled with his legs.

Carroll, 15 years Oblak’s senior, was bundled over his line illegally by Samardzic after he collected a Valter Birsa corner under his bar.

Four minutes before half-time, Washington scored his first Northern Ireland goal on just his second visit to the country. Collecting a ball over the top, he barged Nejc Skubic off the ball, moved inside Bostjan Cesar and fired beyond a static Oblak to give O’Neill’s men the lead.

Jamie Ward’s challenge on Oblak six minutes into the second half sparked some pushing and shoving. Ward had already been booked but it was Washington who earned a yellow card for his role in the melee. Ward was substituted soon after, though.

Slovenia had the chance to level from the penalty spot after Jonny Evans was hauled up for an arm round Samardzic’s neck at a corner. Novakovic took the kick but Carroll sprang to his right to keep it out.