THE STORY in Bratislava was familiar as Northern Ireland started their World Cup qualifying campaign with a defeat. This was a cruel setback after a positive display that merited at least a point.

The visitors finally got on the scoresheet with an 81st-minute own goal, which was not enough to cancel out two defensive lapses in the second half. They must now continue their superb record of midweek games at Windsor Park to recover against the Czech Republic.

With only one opening-day victory in their past six World Cup or European Championship qualifying campaigns, and without the injured Kyle Lafferty, it was no surprise when Nigel Worthington named a 4-1-4-1 formation. Avoiding defeat was always going to be more important than victory.

Aaron Hughes, who missed the scoreless draw against Scotland at Hampden Park last month, returned at right-back with Jonny Evans and Stephen Craigan, who played so well together in that game, retained in the centre of defence. Chris Baird filled ‘the hole’ between defence and a four-man midfield where Burnley’s Martin Paterson started on the left. David Healy was left to furrow his familiar lone striking role in away games.

Northern Ireland have coped with temperatures of 35 degrees all week, and the early stages could not have been more encouraging for the visitors.

Healy won the first corner and, although that was cleared, the country’s record goalscorer was soon through with only a defender and the goalkeeper between him and the net. Put through by Sammy Clingan, Healy checked and it proved costly. His shot was blocked for another corner.

Clingan was seeing plenty of possession in midfield and he produced the first save of the game in the eighth minute after Healy had headed down a Keith Gillespie cross into the Norwich City player’s path. Baird, among the attackers for Northern Ireland’s third corner, headed just over the bar as the Slovaks were forced to defend much more than they can have expected.

The first scare for the visitors was when Craigan and Martin Jakubko clashed in the penalty box. The Slovakia forward appealed for a penalty but the referee waved away the claims.

Close to half-time, the Northern Ireland defence was exposed twice in the space of three minutes.

Robert Vittek fed the overlapping Jan Durica on the left and when his cross came in Jakubko got in front of Jonny Evans. With Maik Taylor staying on his line, the ball flew into the net off the striker’s head. It was an agonising wait for Northern Ireland before the flag of the assistant referee went up for

offside.

Still, the lesson was not heeded and after Taylor got a fingertip to the ball when it took a wicked bounce inside his penalty area, the right-wing corner was met by Martin Petras, unmarked 10 yards out. This time Taylor and his defenders were relieved to see the ball go wide of the right upright.

It was Northern Ireland who finished the half as they started, with Healy finding himself clear on the edge of the penalty box. The Sunderland man shot on the turn and it went the wrong side of the post, but it gave hope for a breakthrough in the second half.

The first goal came just 50 seconds after the break, but unfortunately for Northern Ireland it was in their net. A free kick on the left touchline was floated in by Marek Sapara and Skrtel outjumped Hughes, his back-header flying past Taylor for the Slovaks’ first goal in four internationals.

Now, Northern Ireland were left with no option but to go forward. If there was a plan at half-time of playing for a scoreless draw, that script had to be ripped up. Sure enough, within five minutes, Northern Ireland should have been level. Gillespie took a corner on the right and George McCartney was not picked up as he ran into the penalty area. With perfect timing he met the ball eight yards out, but headed wastefully over the bar with not a Slovakia player near him. How costly would that be?

Still the chances came, more than an away team, especially Northern Ireland with their chronic away record, could hope for. After 10 minutes, a McCartney long throw reached Healy. He left it for Clingan who, with another great scoring opportunity at his mercy, miskicked. Then Martin Paterson, who had worked tirelessly and to great effect all evening, played a one-two with Healy, the space opened up but from the edge of the area his side-footed effort rolled tamely into keeper Stefan Senecky’s arms.

Midway through the half and Northern Ireland were still enjoying the bulk of the possession but then came the 60 seconds that settled the match. At one end, Chris Baird’s shot from 20 yards was stopped, clearly by the hand of Petras inside his box. The referee waved play on and the Slovaks were immediately awarded a free kick 30 yards out. Evans was booked for the foul. The kick was met at the far post, headed across the area and swept in, left footed, by Napoli’s leading scorer Marek Hamsik.

It was so cruel on Northern Ireland but they got the goal they deserved in the 81st minute. Dean Shiels, only on the pitch for three minutes, crossed low from the left and Dorica, sliding towards his own goal, deflected past Senecky.

Nigel Worthington’s side pushed for an equaliser but McCartney’s last-minute header straight at Senecky summed up a frustrating night.

Slovakia: Taylor 6, Hughes 6, Evans 6, Craigan 7, McCartney 6, Baird 7, Gillespie 6 (Feeny 52mins), Davis 6, Clingan 8, Paterson 7 (Brunt 66mins), Healy 6

Northern Ireland: Senecky 7, Pekaarik 6, Skrtel 8, Petras 7, Durica 7, Sapara 7, Kozack 6, Karhan 6, Hamsik 7, Jakubko 6, Vittek 5