Scotland edged out a stubborn Northern Ireland side with a 1-0 win at Hampden Park in an international friendly this evening.
Christophe Berra's late winner saw off the visitors, who are now without a friendly win in 22 games.
Steven Fletcher was denied an early goal by Michael McGovern, and the visiting goalkeeper did well to turn the Sunderland striker's goal-bound effort over the top from close range.
Ikechi Anya then forced McGovern into a smart save on nine minutes when he cut inside and drilled a low shot goalwards.
Anya was then guilty of wasting a good opening for Gordon Strachan's side when he tamely fired at McGovern when well placed on 22 minutes.
Shaun Maloney was next to spurn a good chance for Scotland on 28 minutes when he blazed an effort high over the bar after a lay-off from Anya.
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McGovern was forced into another stop on the half-hour mark as the hosts piled the pressure on, and the keeper was alert to keep out Fletcher's low shot from around 20 yards.
Everton forward Steven Naismith almost broke the deadlock with a header five minutes into the second period but the flick was just too high.
Scotland finally made the breakthrough in the last five minutes when Berra outmuscled Aaron Hughes to head home his first goal in over three years for his national side.
Paul Gorst
