Roy Carroll saved a 36th-minute penalty as Northern Ireland held onto their 2-0 lead over the Faroe Islands in their Euro 2016 Group F qualifier at Windsor Park.

The hosts were by far the dominant side, and even before he handed Northern Ireland the lead in the sixth minute, Gareth McAuley had seen an effort cleared off the line.

However, the West Brom defender made no mistake 60 seconds later when he nodded home at the far post from Oliver Norwood's corner

Kyle Lafferty then went close for Northern Ireland as they pushed for a second and the forward got his just rewards with a simple finish from close range in the 21st minute.

Lafferty was then denied by a magnificent Gunnar Nielsen save before Steven Davis and Lafferty again sent more efforts narrowly wide.

Totally against the run of play, the Faroe Islands were awarded a penalty, but Roy Carroll ensured that his side maintained their two-goal advantage with a fine save to tip Frodi Benjaminsen's 12-yard effort onto the post towards the end of the first half.