Northern Ireland 0 Slovenia 0: Drab draw leaves Worthington's men struggling
The outstretched boot was just inches away from making contact, and Chris Brunt’ s look of frustration reflected the growing sense that Northern Ireland may be heading for another agonising near-miss in their quest to reach the finals of a major tournament.
The West Brom midfielder slid in and strained every sinew to reach Corry Evans’ s 80th-minute cutback but was left flat on his back on the goalline after the ball skimmed off his studs and bobbled narrowly wide.
It was one of few opportunities for Nigel Worthington’s injury-depleted side, yet it so nearly produced a killer blow that would have rejuvenated their hopes of qualifying for next year’s European Championship finals.
Put your right leg in! Chris Brunt (right) stakes his claim for the ball
N Ireland (4-5-1): Camp 6; Cathcart 7, McAuley 7, Craigan 6, J Evans 7; C Evans 6 (Boyce 90min), Baird 6, Brunt 6, Clingan 6, McCann 5 (McQuoid 70, 6); Feeney 6 (McCourt 81). Subs not used: Tuffey, Thompson, Hodson, Gorman. Booked: Baird, C. Evans, Brunt.
Slovenia (4-2-3-1): S Handanovic 6; Brecko 6, Suler 6, Mavric 6, Jokic 7; Koren 7, Bacinovic 7 (Sukalo 89); Birsa 8, Ilcic 6 (Ljubijankic 29, 7), Kirm 6; Novakovic 6 (Dedic 83). Subs not used: J Handanovic, Ilic, Andelkovic, Radosavljevic. Booked: Koren, Bacinovic.
Man of the match: Valter Birsa.
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland) 6.
Instead, a desperately-needed win slipped from their grasp and left them staring at the prospect of pulling up short after launching their campaign in style, with a win in Slovenia and draw at home to Italy.
Almost as worrying as the loss of two points for Worthington was the unmistakeable conclusion that without the injured Kyle Lafferty and suspended David Healy, they are chronically short of firepower.
Oldham frontrunner Warren Feeney could not be faulted for bravery after soldiering on with four stitches in a head wound for most of the night, but, as a lone marksman, he could make little impression on a rugged Slovenia back line.
Rangers’ Steve Davis’ midfield guile was missed almost as much, drastically reducing their creativity and limiting Northern Ireland openings to the bare minimum.
Indeed, once Sammy Clingan had floated a free-kick narrowly wide in the 41st minute, Slovenia began to appreciate their hosts were there for the taking and should have gone ahead in the 49th minute, following a sharp, incisive passing move that left Northern Ireland chasing shadows.
Substitute Zlatan Ljubijankic supplied the low cross at the end of it, but Milivoje Novakovic was left shaking his head in dismay after blazing wide, with the goal gaping.
All bark and no bite: Northern Ireland's Warren Feeney (left) tussles with Slovenia's Marko Suler
It says everything for their reserves of character that Northern Ireland weathered the storm and so nearly snatched the points late on, as Brunt went close and then stand-in skipper Gareth McAuley so nearly repeated Friday night’ s goalscoring heroics in Belgrade.
Again the delivery came from a Chris Brunt free-kick and, once more, McAuley met it impressively in the air, only to see his goalbound header blocked by defender Matej Mavric’s shin inside the six-yard area.
Even then, a solitary point almost eluded them, as Zlatko Dedic burst clear in the 86th minute and looked sure to score, until being foiled by a smart reflex save by Nottingham Forest keeper Lee Camp on his home debut.
For all their endeavour, the shortcomings of a squad that lacks the depth needed to cope with withdrawals was exposed in a way that points to more frustration and disappointment in a major competition. After surrendering a first-half lead in Belgrade and only drawing in the Faroe Islands, Northern Ireland had to complete the double over Slovenia, and Worthington knew it.
He said: 'I said it would be like a boxing match, and it went the distance. There were a lot of immense performances out there, and if Brunt's studs had been half-an-inch longer, we'd have won it.'