Battling display by Northern Ireland

Erling Haaland, who scored a brace in that game, was the man to watch after bagging a hat-trick in Norway’s 4-0 win over Romania on Sunday.

But bar an early scare the Northern Ireland defence coped manfully with the Borussia Dortmund star.

The visitors had chances of their own as Conor Washington and Josh Magennis forged a good partnership up front.

In the end though they were undone by an unfortunate own goal as Martin Odegaard’s corner cannoned off the unfortunate Stuart Dallas and into the net for the winner.

It was tough on the visitors but they will take heart from the performance ahead of next month’s EURO 2020 play-off final against Slovakia.

Ian Baraclough made ten changes to the side which lost 1-0 to Austria on Sunday with defender Jonny Evans the only man to retain his place.

But the Northern Ireland boss was forced into a late change as Bailey Peacock-Farrell picked up and injury in the warm up.

Motherwell stopper Trevor Carson got the nod to take his place between the sticks.

And just over a minute after the kick off Carson was called into action.

Martin Odegaard’s clever flick released Erling Haaland, his shot was parried by Carson and Tom Flanagan was alert to hack the loose ball off the line.

Northern Ireland responded almost immediately with Conor Washington racing on to a long ball and forcing Andre Hansen into a good save.

Another quick counter on 12 minutes saw Josh Magennis cut inside and fire low at Hansen, who saved comfortably.

The Hull City front man was denied by the home keeper again on 19 minutes, but in truth he should have done better.

Strike partner Washington sent him in on goal, but Magennis’ was blocked by the legs of Hansen.

The visitors had a big let off second before the half time whistle as that man Haaland lost his marker in the box, but he could only direct his header straight at Carson.

The Motherwell keeper produced another excellent save down low to his left to keep out a deflected Joshua King shot on 52 minutes.

Stefan Strandberg should have done better five minutes later as Odegaard’s corner found its way through to him at the back post, but the defender blazed over the bar.

It was from another Odegaard corner that Norway broke the deadlock in rather fortunate circumstances on 68 minutes.

The ball deflected off the shoulder of substitute Stuart Dallas, who was under pressure from Strandberg, and flew into the net.

Northern Ireland kept pushing until the end but they couldn’t find an equaliser in the end.