No sunshine for McIlroy's boys at Windsor Park

N Ireland 0 - Greece 2

Sammy McIlroy was left dejected tonight as Northern Ireland slumped to defeat after being reduced to nine men.

James Quinn and Keith Gillespie were both sent off in this European Championship qualifier at Windsor Park.

Irish boss McIlroy has now seen his side fail to score in 792 minutes - and it is 17 months since they last achieved a victory.

Two goals from Werder Bremen striker Angelos Charisteas condemned them to defeat in front of a crowd of just over 7,000.

Steve Lomas, the last man to find the target a year ago, captained the side but failed to inspire to the victory they craved.

McIlroy decided to keep faith in a partnership of David Healy and James Quinn up front.

McIlroy made one change to the side that lost to Armenia with Sunderland defender George McCartney returning to the starting line-up.

Grant McCann moved into midfield with Paul McVeigh dropping down to the bench as the Irish went in search of their first victory in the group after picking up one point in three games.

The Irish created a good chance in the first minute when Keith Gillespie skipped away down the right and delivered a cross to the back post.

Grant McCann got a header in, only to see it safely taken by the Greek goalkeeper.

Play switched down the other end and goalkeeper Maik Taylor did well to beat away a shot from Stylianos Giannakopoulos.

Greece took the lead after three minutes when Charisteas rounded Taylor to score after Vasilios Tsartas had carved out the opening.

Werder Bremen striker Charisteas then went close in the eighth minute following a cross from Giannakopoulos – but Taylor stood tall.

The Irish were struggling to get their game together but Lomas got on the end of a flick-on from Quinn, only to fire well wide of the target.

Quinn then needed treatment in the 20th minute after a stiff challenge from Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Quinn, who plays for Dutch club Willem II, re-appeared after treatment but still looked groggy.

However he showed his determination in the 28th minute to get on the end of a Gillespie free kick, only to see it saved by the goalkeeper.

Healy then tried to break away down the left in the 35th minutes but Nikos Dabizas got in a timely challenge for Greece.

The Irish's troubles increased in the 38th minute when Quinn was sent off after a wild lunge on Georgios Karagounis.

That left them down to 10 men and down 1-0, leaving Irish manager McIlroy with a feeling of frustration as the first half came to a close.

With Quinn back in the dressing room, Gillespie seemed to be playing a more advanced role at the start of the second half.

The Irish made a bright start and Lomas latched onto a pass from Healy only to see his shot deflected.

It was only a brief respite as Greece broke forward quickly but McCartney got in a timely challenge to deny Giannakopoulos.

The visitors looked dangerous every time they broke forward as they went in search of a second goal.

McIlroy knew his side needed an early goal if they were to get back in the game.

But they conceded a second goal in the 56th minute when a sloppy backpass from McCartney let in Charisteas and he scored from close range.

The Irish continued to battle away and Gillespie got on the end of a cross from Lomas in the 64th minute but his tame header didn’t trouble the goalkeeper.

McIlroy then made two changes in the 68th minute in a bid to turn things around.

McVeigh and Andy Kirk came on for McCann and Healy.

But they were reduced to nine men in the 69th minute when Gillespie was sent off after picking up his second yellow card for a foul on Kyrgiakos.

The Irish nearly broke their scoring drought in the 83rd minute when Mark Williams cracked in a shot only to see it come back off the bar.

That summed up their luck not only tonight but in previous matches when they have battled away with nothing to show for their efforts.