Armenia secure away success

Northern Ireland slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home by Armenia which meant Sammy McIlroy's struggling side have now failed to score for 12 successive games.

Bottom of the table
The defeat ensured Northern Ireland will finish bottom of UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 6, with Armenia four points above them in fourth place on seven points from seven matches so far. Both sides have one game left to play, with Armenia taking on second-placed Spain on 11 October, the same night Northern Ireland travel to group leaders Greece.

Early missed chance
The home side came close to breaking the deadlock after only ten minutes, but forward Andy Smith could not direct Keith Gillespie's excellent cross on target. Northern Ireland almost ended their scoring hoodoo when a slip-up in the visitors' defence saw Tudor-Marian Zeciu's header back towards his own goal intercepted by David Healy, but the striker could only find the side-netting with his first-time effort.

Substitute strikes
The winning goal came in the 27th minute. Northern Ireland goalkeeper Maik Taylor could do nothing to stop Armenian substitute Arman Karamyan, on as a 12th-minute replacement for the injured Artur Petrosyan, converting Yeghishe Melikyan's low left-wing cross.

Jones goes close
Crewe Alexandra FC striker Steve Jones almost gave the Windsor Park fans something to shout about after a strong solo run ended with him producing a fierce shot that goalkeeper Roman Berezovski did well to deflect on to the crossbar.

Berezovski unbeatable
Berezovski was the saviour for Armenia again when he pounced to stop a Jones header crossing the goalline after Healy's excellent centre. The goalkeeper was in defiant mood and his performance ensured that Armenia held on for all three points.