Northern Ireland took a huge step towards promotion to League B of the Nations League with a routine 2-0 win against Belarus at Windsor Park.
Daniel Ballard and Dion Charles were on target for the hosts as they made it three wins from three home games in Group C3, inflicting Belarus’ first defeat in the group in the process.
Michael O’Neill’s side will now complete their campaign with an away game against Luxembourg on Monday.
A draw in that fixture will be enough for NI to top the group and seal promotion.
Frustrating first half for NI
Charles went close with a free-kick in a first half of few chances for NI
Northern Ireland came into the game off the back of the impressive 5-0 triumph against Bulgaria last month, but O’Neill had said that patience would be key against a Belarus side that had only conceded one goal in the group.
That proved to be the case as it was a scrappy start to the game from NI against a team that were content to sit deep.
The game burst into life on 14 minutes however, as Northern Ireland fashioned their first and best opportunity of the half.
Shea Charles latched onto a misplaced pass from Kirill Pechenin and found Dion Charles, whose first-time instinctive effort from close range was tipped over the crossbar by Fedor Lapoukhov.
Pechenin then flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal for the in-rushing Evgeni Shikavka, who was unable to get a touch.
The earlier NI chance had lifted the sold-out crowd as well as the players and they went close again through Shea Charles and Bradley.
Charles, who was captain on the night, smashed a free-kick from 30 yards out into the side netting.
Bradley then raced into the area with intent and delivered an inviting ball, but no one in green was on hand to divert the ball goalward.
After that bright spell, NI started to slow down with stray passes and a lack of quality in the final third making it a comfortable end to the half for Belarus.
Isaac Price curled an effort from range off target as the first half of frustration drew to a close.
Persistence pays off for hosts
Dion Charles coolly converted the spot kick to double NI’s lead
