A stubborn Northern Ireland have held Scotland to a goalless first half at Hampden Park this evening.
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.
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.
Fletcher was once again thwarted by the impressive McGovern as the game ticked into stoppage time.
Paul Gorst
