Northern Ireland worst in history

Northern Ireland created an unwanted record last night when their inability to find the net during a 1-0 defeat to Armenia in Belfast means they have now gone 12 games without scoring.

It adds up to 1,152 minutes since their last goal and means Sammy McIlroy's side have beaten Liechtenstein's previous European worst of 11 games. West Ham's Steve Lomas holds the dubious distinction of being the last Northern Ireland player to score, hitting a first-half effort during a 4-1 defeat by Poland in February 2002.

"It is devastating," McIlroy said after Armenia won the Euro 2004 qualifying game through an Arman Karamyan strike. "What more can we do to get a goal and a win. I thought we dominated the game after they scored. I can't believe we have not taken one of our chances at least."