STUART DALLAS cracked an injury-time winner to keep Northern Ireland on course for the World Cup play-offs.
Michael O’Neill’s men were bossed by hosts Azerbaijan — with keeper Michael McGovern forced to make a string of superb saves.
But Leeds winger Dallas fired through a crowd of defenders to give Norn Iron victory and strengthen their grip on second spot in Group C.
Manager O’Neill beamed: “It was a fantastic way to finish the game. We were out on our feet and looking to get away with a draw.
“I’m delighted for Stuart as he did everything we asked of him.”
Hero Dallas admitted: “We maybe didn’t deserve to win — but in international football you have to take your chances. I was tired so I just kept my head down and hit it.”
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SLOVENIA are three points behind England and three ahead of Scotland in Group F after goals from Josip Ilicic and Milivoje Novakovic brought them a 2-0 success over MALTA.
DENMARK won 3-1 in KAZAKHSTAN in their Group E clash, with Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen netting a penalty between strikes from Nicolai Jorgensen and Kasper Dolberg.
The hosts had Bauyrzhan Islamkhan sent off on 43 minutes.
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