NORTH ROCKED BY LAST-DITCH BOBCEK STRIKE

TOMAS Bobcek's stoppage-time goal ended Northern Ireland's hopes of making it out of World Cup qualifying Group A but they came away from a 1-0 loss in Slovakia assured of a playoff place regardless.

- BY IAN PARKER

Debutant Bobcek had only been on the pitch for three minutes in when he fired in from Laszlo Benes’ corner in the first of eight minutes added on, and the goal stood despite Northern Ireland appeals for a foul after Daniel Ballard had gone down in the buildup.

Slovakia had already seen second-half strikes from Lukas Haraslin and David Strelec chalked off but this time it stood to spark wild celebrations as the home bench emptied.

Northern Ireland, missing four of the players who started last month against Germany, battled hard for 90 minutes but Slovakia held the edge and will go to Leipzig on Monday with a chance to top the group if they can beat Germany.