Northern Ireland and Hungary failed to be separated in 90 minutes as both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils in an entertaining clash at Windsor Park.

In truth, Northern Ireland will feel they should have had a half-time lead to show for their dominance as Isaac Price, Trai Hume and Patrick Kelly all had sights of goal – with the latter hitting the crossbar from close range.

The Hungarians were much-improved after the restart and thought they had stolen three points at the death but Milan Vitalis’ thunderous effort was saved by Pierce Charles.

Michael O’Neill came into the contest without the services of Dan Ballard who suffered a hamstring injury in Georgia, meaning the Sunderland defender misses the rest of the international window. He was replaced in the heart of the back three by Ruairi McConville in the only change from the dramatic late victory in Tbilsi.

placeholder image — Isaac Price is tackled by Attila Osváth during the Nations League fixture at Windsor Park

In what was Northern Ireland’s first game at Windsor Park in 315 days, both teams were content on having early touches of the ball as the hosts threatened first. Hungary defender Milos Kerkez, who plys his trade in the Premier League with Liverpool, was guilty of giving the ball away in a dangerous area as Ethan Galbraith and Price both had efforts blocked.

On 14 minutes, O’Neill’s men went close again as Hungary were once again loose in possession, which set up Hume and his low fizzing effort from 25 yards had Balazs Toth scampering across goal.

Hungary started their campaign with a narrow loss to Ukraine and they had their first sight of goal on 21 minutes when a defensive clearance fell as far as Gabor Jurek. The MTK Budapest man hit an instinctive effort towards goal which was deflected away for a corner.

Northern Ireland’s starting eleven boasted an average age of 22 and that youthful exuberance nearly paid dividends when Isaac Price’s flick played in Kelly. The former Coleraine man didn’t have plenty of options as his attempted lob was clawed away by Toth.

The hosts were then within a lick of paint of making the breakthrough on 36 minutes as the woodwork was rattled by Kelly. A long throw into the box by Ciaron Brown was flicked goalwards by Tom Atcheson into the path of Kelly who saw his shot on the stretch come off the crossbar.

O’Neill’s troops were certainly creating all the clear-cut chances in Belfast as a free-kick entry into Hungary’s box was cleared as far as Price but his curling effort failed to land the right side of the far post.

The game certainly had a bit of needle in the first half with Daniel Lukacs going to ground after being closed down by Shea Charles, with the Hungary players furious no card was shown.

Spurred on by a great vocal backing at Windsor Park, the men in green had the first opportunity of the second half when Hume’s cross met Atcheson at the back post but his header was comfortably saved.

The Hungarians managed to get their foot on the ball and the ball was worked into Schafer’s feet inside the box but his near-post effort rippled the side netting, before the same player arrowed wide from a quick free-kick.

Liverpool star Dominik Szoboslazi was jeered every time he touched the ball such was his threat and his inswinging corner found its way to Donat Barany but he was unable to steer his close-range header on target.

Price has been Northern Ireland’s go to man for goals since making his international debut and he had a big chance to give Northern Ireland the lead on 79 minutes. The West Brom ace was played through by Shea Charles but his near-post effort was saved by Toth.

Two minutes later, McConville was celebrating like he scored a goal as he made a vital block to prevent Hungary from taking the lead themselves. The ball was worked to defender Willi Orban inside the box and his goal-bound shot was thwarted by a timely intervention by McConville.

18,082 were in attendance at the National Stadium and the vast majority blew a sight of relief when Alex Toth was able to pick out Szoboszlai just inside the box but the midfielder failed to test Northern Ireland stopper Pierce Charles.

Hungary looked the more likely team to bag all three points at the death as Milan Vitalis let fly from distance which went narrowly wide.

Soon after, Vitalis had a blazing attempt palmed away by Charles, with Alex Toth’s rebound fizzing wide of the far post as Northern Ireland survived as both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.

It means Northern Ireland have four points from their opening two games in Group B2, with an ‘away’ clash against Ukraine in Slovakia on Friday (October 2) next, before the international window finishes with a home contest against Georgia on Monday, October 5.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Pierce Charles, Justin Devenny, Tom Atcheson, Trai Hume, Ethan Galbraith, Jamie Donley (Brodie Spencer, 70), Isaac Price (Josh Magennis, 88), Ruairi McConville, Patrick Kelly (Dion Charles, 70), Shea Charles, Ciaron Brown.

Subs Not Used: Conor Hazard (GK), Bailey Peacock-Farrell (GK), Terry Devlin, Michael Forbes, Ceadach O’Neill, Paul Smyth, Kieran Morrison, Paddy McNair, Braiden Graham.

HUNGARY: Balazs Toth, Mark Csinger, Willi Orban, Tamas Szucs (Alex Toth, 55), Dominik Szoboszlai, Milos Kerkez, Andras Schafer, Bendeguz Bolla (Attila Osvath, 34), Aron Csongvai (Milan Vitalis, 77), Daniel Lukacs (Milan Toth, 77), Gabor Jurek (Donat Barany, 55).

Subs Not Used: Bence Gundel-Takacs (GK), Armin Pecsi (GK), Kornel Szucs, Akos Markgraf, Zsolt Nagy, Bence Varkonyi, Aron Doktorics.

Referee: Ricardo de Burgos (Spain)