Feeney seals crucial win (From Western Telegraph)

Feeney seals crucial win

8:48am Thursday 2nd April 2009

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Northern Ireland kept alive their hopes of making it to South Africa with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Slovenia in a World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park.

On-loan Dundee United striker Warren Feeney, who scored at the weekend, grabbed the winner in the 73rd minute with a glancing header following good work from Sammy Clingan and Damien Johnson.

It means Northern Ireland remain top of Group Three after a record-breaking fourth successive victory in qualifiers.

Slovenia almost took the lead in the 10th minute but goalkeeper Maik Taylor did well to parry Miso Brecko's close range effort after he was released inside the area by Bostjan Cesar.

Northern Ireland again found themselves on the back foot in the 22nd minute when Andrej Komac swung in a corner, only for skipper Aaron Hughes to stay alert and make the clearance.

The province made a bright start to the second half with David Healy whipping in a cross that tested the goalkeeper.

Then in the 56th minute Damien Johnson headed over the bar at the back post following a corner from Grant McCann.

Slovenia almost went ahead in the 67th minute when skipper Robert Koren raced forward and cracked in a shot from 25 yards that came back off the bar.

Northern Ireland made the breakthrough in the 73rd minute with Feeney finding the target.

The on-loan Dundee United striker glanced a header beyond the goalkeeper after a good build up involving Clingan and Johnson to prompt another night of celebrations in the old town.

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