IT'S HIGH WOLTAGE

Electric Windsor is crackling but there's no shock as Nick powers German victory

- BY STEVEN CRAWFORD

IT was another frustrating night for Northern Ireland against Germany as they slipped to a narrow defeat which they will hope doesn't have lasting implications on their World Cup hopes.

Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade glanced home in the 31st minute but that was only part of the story.

Daniel Ballard had a goal ruled out before Woltemade's winner and Oliver Baumann was the busier of the two goalkeepers as the hosts pushed right to the death.

But they couldn't muster an equaliser to leave them trailing Germany and Slovakia with two games to go in qualification.

Michael O'Neill made one change to the side which defeated Slovakia at Windsor Park on Friday night - and it was an enforced one with influential star Conor Bradley ruled out through suspension.

The Liverpool star picked up a soft booking in the 2-0 win, his second of the campaign, meaning he was forced to watch the Germany showdown from the sidelines.

Brodie Spencer was given the nod to replace Bradley in the starting lineup.

Julian Nagelsmann's side moved level on points with Michael O'Neill's men following their 4-0 thumping of Luxembourg last time out.

Unsurprisingly the Germany boss went with the same lineup with Premier League stars Florian Wirtz and Woltemade handed starts but another familiar face, Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger, a notable omission.