Israel have defeated Northern Ireland 2-0 in their World Cup Group F qualifier at Windsor Park in Belfast.

The visitors made the brighter start of the two teams and were unlucky not to make the breakthrough after just four minutes when Itay Shechter struck the post from inside the penalty area.

The Israelis continued to pile the pressure on their hosts in the opening minutes, but Northern Ireland's defence, led by Jonny Evans, stood strong.

Then on 19 minutes the home team created a good chance when Steven Davis spread a pass inside the Israeli penalty box that Martin Paterson failed to make his own.

Northern Ireland created a flurry of chances around the half-hour mark, but Chris Brunt, Paterson, Davis and Kyle Lafferty all were denied by desperate Israeli defending.

Lafferty created a good chance for Sammy Clingan before the break, but the midfielder failed to his shot on target.

Israel could have forced the opener eight minutes into the second half had Roy Carroll not kept out a good attempt from Eden Ben Basat.

Northern Ireland soon resumed dominating proceedings and created two quick chances around the hour mark through Davis and Lafferty, but in vain.

However, it was Israel who bagged the points, the first goal coming on 77 minutes when Lior Rafaelov smashed home after collecting a pass from Eran Zahavi.

Ben Basat found the target seven minutes later with a powerful shot following some good work from Shechter on the flanks.