9.37pm Full-time Slovenia 2 Northern Ireland 0 Nigel Worthington's men return from Maribor with no points having seemed to be secure in getting at least a draw. But one cross of quality opened the scoring for Slovenia late on and a minute later a controversial second sealed the triumph. Northern Ireland lacked a little creativity up front to reward the industry of Lafferty and their hopes of going to South Africa are not looking good.

9.36pm Jonny Evans commits a horrible challenge on Ljubijankic and earns a yellow card. He will miss the home game against San Marino.

9.32pm There will be four minutes of time to add on in which NI must score two goals. Elsewhere in the group, Poland have beaten the Czech Republic 2-1.

9.31pm Baird wins the ball on the edge of the area but his shot is a couple of feet over the bar.

9.30pm It was looking all too comfortable for NI and now they are 2-0 down. Lafferty is punished for a foul on Cesar when again the Slovenia player wins the free kick by dint of going down after losing the ball when he was not being fouled. How frustrating for Lafferty who does not deserve to leave Maribor with no points.

9.26pm GOAL! Slovenia 2 Northern Ireland 0 Evans appears to be pushed by Ljubijankic as he attempts to clear. He misses the ball allowing Ljubijankic to go through on goal and he slips it past Taylor to confirm their three points.

9.25pm GOAL! Slovenia 1 Northern Ireland 0 Birsa is free on the right and sends in a wonderful cross with his left foot to the far past where Novakovic puts his foot on to the balll to steer it into the far corner.

9.24pm Koren tries his luck from distance but it goes over.

9.23pm As we enter the last ten minutes of this match it is becoming inceasingly tetchy.

9.22pm McCartney is needlessly booked for going in close for some verbals on a Slovenia player after he is pulled up for a foul in the box.

9.21pm From the free kick the ball is cleared and Healy's shot is blocked. Slovenia break quickly but Ljubijankic makes a mess of the ball in the box. Sisic is replaced by Valter Birsa.

9.19pm Gillespie sends the kick to the back post where it finds Evans but on the half-volley he cannot steer it goalwards. Another great chance goes. At the other end a dangerous Slovenian cross is cleared. Kirm is then booked for a terrible challenge on Lafferty.