Evening all. Thanks for joining Sports Mole's live text coverage of Northern Ireland vs. Slovenia in Belfast. It is a particularly important encounter for those players in the Irish squad as time to make an impression before Euro 2016 is rapidly running out. This is one of just three matches Michael O'Neill's men have before they head to France.

First of all, though, let's take a look at the team news coming out of Windsor Park...

TEAM NEWS

NORTHERN IRELAND XI: Carroll; McAuley, Evans, Cathcart;, Smith, Ferguson, Davis, McNair, Norwood; Ward, Washington

SLOVENIA XI: Oblak; Jokic, Cesar, Samardzic, Skubic; Krhin, Verbic, Kurtic, Birsa; Bezjak, Ilicic

Just as he did last time out against Wales on Thursday night, it appears that O'Neill has opted to start this encounter with three at the back. West Bromwich Albion teammates Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley make up two thirds of it, while Watford defender Craig Cathcart - who scored in Cardiff - also features.

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Of course, throughout much of their successful qualifying campaign, Ireland operated with a 4-3-3 formation. However, speaking after the 1-1 draw with Wales, O'Neill explained to the assembled media why different systems are now being tried out:

"Either system has strengths or weaknesses depending on how the game's going. The most important thing between now and the end of the summer is the players are able to adapt and understand it very quickly. The game on Thursday night gave me a lot more confidence that that's the case."

Elsewhere in the team, there is a start for the experienced Roy Carroll between the posts. The 38-year-old, who was once on Manchester United's books, is currently contracted to Notts County. Further forward there are inclusions for Shane Ferguson and Michael Smith, the latter of whom is making his debut.

But, perhaps the headline news is that Kyle Lafferty does not start this contest. The Norwich City striker recently joined Birmingham City on loan to boost his game time, but he has to make do with a place on the bench here. Remember, the frontman notched a highly impressive seven goals in qualifying. Connor Washington, who was said to be struggling with a knock, is fit and will lead the attack.

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As for the Slovenians, there are one or two familiar faces on show. Fans of La Liga will recognise Jan Oblak, who has earned rave reviews for his performances in goal for Atletico Madrid this season. Meanwhile, up front is Josip Ilicic. Recent speculation has claimed that Liverpool are keeping closing tabs on the Fiorentina striker, with scouts potentially in attendance this evening.

And not forgetting Nottingham Forest supporters because loanee defender Bojan Jokic is included in the Slovenia starting lineup.

HOW DID THEY DO? Staying with Slovenia, who unlike their hosts, are not gearing up for the European Championships. That is because after finishing third behind England and Switzerland in the group stages, they were then beaten 3-1 over two legs in the playoffs by Ukraine. In the group stages they won five matches, lost four and drew just one. During that time they scored a healthy 18 goals and let in 11.

Against England they lost 3-1 at Wembley, while a Jack Wilshere brace and a late Wayne Rooney strike sealed a 3-2 win for the Three Lions in Ljubljana. Milivoje Novakovic and Nejc Pecnik were on target for the Slovenians that day, but neither are in this squad.

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Srecko Katanec's men also have a relatively rotten record on the road of late. They have lost four of their last five away matches, with the one victory coming against minnows San Marino. Widening that a bit further, it's five wins in 20.

RECORD HUNTERS: While Slovenia now have World Cup qualifiers later this year to look forward to, it's a great time to be a Northern Irish football fan. The 1-1 draw with Wales extended their unbeaten run to nine matches, equaling the national record set back in 1986, which incidentally was the last time that the Green and White Army qualified for a major tournament. It means that if O'Neill's charges avoid defeat tonight, they will break new ground.

On top of that, they are unbeaten from their last seven home encounters - a run that dates back to September 2013 when a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal were in town. Since then, it's been positive results all the way, with four wins and three draws.

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So, what are Norn Iron preparing for then? Well, it's a tough group that is awaiting them in France. They open up against Poland, who boast the clinical Robert Lewandowski within their ranks. Then it's Slovenia's conquerors Ukraine, before the small matter of world champions Germany conclude the group stages. That's rather difficult to say the least.

With kickoff just over 10 minutes away, let's have a quick snoop in the Slovenia dressing room:

Ekipa že na štadionu, kmalu začetna postava. #srcebije #nirslo pic.twitter.com/DbDeMuUFs0 — Nogometna zveza Slo (@nzs_si) March 28, 2016

Incidentally, that is a new and improved dressing room at Windsor Park. The old ground has been having a major revamp of late, with the work expected to be concluded around September.

Right, the players are now in the tunnel area and are about to head out on to the pitch. We'll have the national anthems of both teams and then we'll be off and running.

Anthems done, now on with the football...

KICKOFF! The home side get proceedings underway in front of a packed Windsor Park crowd, who are already in fine voice.

CHANCE! Some early danger for Northern Ireland as Skubic sends in a teasing low cross. McAuley can only half clear the danger and when the ball falls for the original crosser, he instantly goes for goal. However, there is not enough bend on his effort and Carroll watches it fly harmlessly wide.

First real attack from the home side as Davis floats in a cross from deep. McAuley is up early to meet it, but he heads well wide.

Now Northern Ireland force a corner after good work from Ferguson down the left flank. Norwood's delivery is a poor one, though, and Slovenia clear comfortably at the near post.

CHANCE! Lovely play from Slovenia full-back Skubic, who has looked a real threat so far. He plays a low pass on the blindside of the Northern Ireland defence and releases Bezjak in the process. Yet, the angle is against the striker and he fires into the side netting.

A nice moment here as the crowd get up on their feet to applaud Johan Cruyff, who sadly passed away recently. The Dutch legend famously wore the number 14 shirt with such distinction.

There is very little happening at Windsor Park right now. Northern Ireland's game against Wales started slowly like this and never really picked up the pace. Hopefully this match doesn't go down the same path.

It has been a tough night for Washington so far. He's spent most of his time chasing down lost causes while the Slovenia defence easily knock the ball around him. The QPR frontman needs better service if he is ever going to prove himself at this level.

And still very little has happened. The problem for Northern Ireland right now is that everything they are doing is in front of the Slovenia defence, who are comfortable. The hosts need to start getting the ball down in midfield and then look for the runs that Washington is making.

SAVE! That's why they need to get Washington involved more. Given a little bit of space, the centre-forward has powered beyond two defenders and then closed in on goal. His low shot is smartly saved by Oblak, but it just goes to show how much of a threat the Northern Irish striker can pose if provided with the ammunition.

Ferguson is looking like Northern Ireland's liveliest player. Again he does well down the left wing, but his floated cross is then easily claimed by Oblak.

Ward has been ever so quiet tonight, but he just burst into life with a smart run inside the area. His cross is intended for Washington, who cannot reach the ball and Slovenia clear.

And with that, on just his second appearance at senior international level, Washington has probably secured his spot in the Euro 2016 squad. It's a great goal from the striker as he wins the physical battle with two defenders. Then, having advanced into the Slovenia box, he cuts inside and unleashes a low shot beyond a flat footed Oblak. Northern Ireland have a new hero!

There goes the whistle and while it looked as tough it was going to be a first half to forget, Washington popped up to end the boredom.

While the scoreline will please O'Neill, he is bound to be a little concerned with the overall performance of his team. Quite simply, they have not played enough football. There has been too much long ball stuff that the Slovenians have dealt with easily, as will their opposition at Euro 2016. They have shown what they are capable of when they get the ball down - it frees Washington to cause havoc.

As for Slovenia, apart from the odd counter-attack, they have contributed very little to this game. The display is best summed up by the fact that their right-back - Skubic - has been the biggest threat going forward.

RESTART! As the second half gets underway, Northern Ireland have made a change. The experienced Hughes has taken the place of McAuley in the heart of the defence.

Nothing, zero, zilch to report from the opening five minutes of the second half. It's all been rather mundane.

BOOKING! Moments after I say that, we've had a few handbags! Ward goes into a challenge with Oblak and the Slovenia defenders are not happy with the Northern Irishman. A number of players then pile in, before the referee diffuses the situation. He then brandishes a yellow card in Washington's direction for some reason.

BOOKING! Oh, and it's just been confirmed that Oblak was also cautioned after that incident.

Big chance for debutant Smith to make an impression as he breaks free into acres of space down the right wing. His cross fails to locate a teammate, though, and the chance is gone.

Remember, Northern Ireland have never gone 10 matches unbeaten. They are just over 30 minutes away from doing just that.

NORTHERN IRELAND SUBS: Two changes for the home team sees Kyle Lafferty and Stuart Dallas replace Ward and Ferguson respectively.

SAVE! He may be 38, but Carroll gets down ever so well to palm away Novakovic's effort from 12 yards out. The penalty was awarded after Evans had been adjudged to have hauled down Cesar inside the area, with the Irish defender earning a booking for his troubles.

NORTHERN IRELAND SUB: The goalscorer Washington comes off to a big applause, with Kilmarnock's Magennis entering the action.

NORTHERN IRELAND SUB: Why could they not have made them two substitutions together?! Now it's Smith's turn to trudge off as Conor McLaughlin enters the action.

CHANCE! An opening appears for Northern Ireland as Lafferty makes a decent run down the right channel. His low cross is palmed out by a diving Oblak and the ball hits Magennis, but the deflection trickles wide of the post.

SLOVENIA SUB: A change up front for Slovenia sees Matic Crnic replace Bezjak.

NORTHERN IRELAND SUB: By my calculations this is a sixth and final alteration for the home team as McGinn comes on for McNair.

As it stands, this game is petering out, which suits Northern Ireland down to the ground. They are heading for 10 matches unbeaten - that's a fine achievement.

BOOKING! Slovenia's Kirm goes into the book for a clear foul on McGinn, who was looking to launch a counter-attack.

There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this match.

There goes the final whistle and it means that Northern Ireland have extended their unbeaten run to a national record of 10 matches. Fantastic stuff from O'Neill and his team!

Thanks for joining Sports Mole's coverage of the action at Windsor Park this evening. That is all we have time for from Belfast and until next time, goodbye.