Albania 1-0 N Ireland

Kristi Vangjeli and Kyle Lafferty battle for possession in Tirana

Northern Ireland lost to Albania in a dull friendly played on a poor pitch at the Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tirana.

Albania had more possession in the first half and Ervin Skela scored with a fine 25-yard free-kick into the top corner in the 26th minute.

In the second half Stephen Craigan headed against the bar and then fired a shot against a post with Rory Patterson almost scoring from the rebound.

Hamdi Salihi and Elis Bakey were denied by good saves from Jonathan Tuffey.

The match was played on a quagmire of a playing surface and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Maik Taylor was called into action on 24 minutes when he tipped over a long-range dipping effort from Skela.

Skela's fantastic free-kick was the only moment of quality in a disappointing first period.

Ansi Agolli could have extended Albania's lead but he dragged a shot across the face of goal after a mix-up between Craigan and Andrew Little.

Craigan was denied his first international goal when his header from Grant McCann's corner rebounded off the woodwork.

Substitute goalkeeper Tuffey saved a Salahee header, and also a low drive from Bakey.

For Northern Ireland, Corry Evans skewed a shot wide and then when Craigan hit the post, Patterson, winning his first cap, was denied by goalkeeper Arjan Beqaj.

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Albania: Hidi, Lila, Dallku, Vangjeli, Angolli, Lala, Curri, Bulku, Duro, Skela, Bogdani. Subs: Beqaj, Cana, Kapllani, Hyka, Bakaj, Vila, Salihi.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, Little, McGivern, McCartney, Craigan, O'Connor, McGinn, Davis, Healy, Lafferty, McCann. Subs: Tuffey, Carson, Kirk, Shiels, Patterson, Evans.

Referee: Elir Pilav (Sarajevo)

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