Northern Ireland have taken a 1-0 lead into half-time of their World Cup qualifying match against Luxembourg this evening.

The hosts took the lead after less than 15 minutes when Jonny Evans strode forward and slid the ball through to Dean Shiels, who chipped the oncoming keeper with style.

Luxembourg forced Roy Carroll into action soon afterwards as Bettmer lashed a stinging shot at the keeper having been teed up by Mario Mutsch.

Northern Ireland thought that they had doubled their lead after 21 minutes when Evans nodded the ball in, but the ref called it back due to a push by Kyle Lafferty.

The hosts had another goal chalked off just after the half-hour mark when Lafferty was judged to have been a yard offside before sweeping home from 20 yards.

Lafferty came close again on the stroke of half-time, firing an effort just wide before Chris Brunt's corner found Chris Baird, who glanced his header just past the post.