It’s Northern frights with slick Austria

NORTHERN IRELAND are still waiting for their first Nations League win as they suffered a comedown after their heroic victory over Bosnia.

Ian Baraclough’s side could not rescale the heights they hit to win on penalties in Sarajevo and book their place in the Euro play-off finals.

They looked tired, especially in the first half, and Austria took full advantage to win through Michael Gregoritsch’s header.

This latest Nations League defeat means the Irish have managed just one point from seven matches.

Bara’s boys will have to sharpen up their act when Slovakia come calling in Belfast next month to battle for a place in next summer’s Euros tournament.

Former Motherwell boss Baraclough admitted his players struggled to maintain their intensity levels following Thursday’s penalty shoot-out success.

He said: “I didn’t want to make wholesale changes. To make nine, 10, 11 changes, it can completely distort a team. So I was asking players to go to the well again and dig deep but we don’t want to make any excuses.”

Baraclough paid tribute to the 600 fans who had been allowed to attend the game at Windsor Park.

“It’s a start and hopefully those who came in enjoyed the experience of being back here,” he added. “You can’t fault how they tried to keep us going. They tried to make their voices heard and it does make a difference. Hopefully we can get more in next month.”

The slicker, quicker Austrians should have won the game inside the opening half hour.

Reinhold Ranftl failed to convert a great opening at the back post and the unmarked Martin Hinteregger headed weakly at Michael McGovern.

Austria’s prolificacy continued and Christoph Baumgartner missed two chances but they finally scored when Hinteregger whipped over a cross for Gregoritsch to head home.

Hearts striker Liam Boyce almost pinched a draw at the death but flashed his shot across goal.