Warren Feeney scored the winner as Northern Ireland retained their place at the top of World Cup qualifying Group Three with a 1-0 win over Slovenia.

Nigel Worthington's team were riding high following an excellent 3-2 win over Poland at the weekend, however, they failed to recapture that form against Slovenia.

The away side dominated the match but did not make the most of the chances they created.

Miso Brecko had a shot which Maik Taylor narrowly deflected over the bar, while Milivoje Novakovic also went close in the first half.

Slovenia continued to be the better side in the second half and almost took the lead when Robert Koren struck the crossbar.

Northern Ireland then made them pay when Feeney scored on a rare foray into the opposition penalty box.

Sammy Clingan crossed the ball and Feeney rose to deftly to glance the winner into the far corner with 15 minutes to go.

Elsewhere, Republic of Ireland kept in touch with Italy at the top of their qualifying group after Robbie Keane earned them a 1-1 draw with a late equaliser.

Although Italy had Giampaolo Pazzini sent off after just three minutes for an elbow on John O'Shea they recovered to take the lead eight minutes later through Vincenzo Iaquinta.

The Italians largely sat back to protect their lead, partly due to their one man disadvantage, but it was not until late in the game that Ireland were able to cause them difficulties.

Kevin Kilbane went close five minutes from time before Keane latched on to a long ball by Shay Given to stab home the equaliser three minutes later.

The Tottenham Hotspur man almost won it but sent his shot over the bar in the dying moments.

In Group Four Wales were defeated 2-0 by top-of-the-table Germany at the Millennium Stadium.

A 30-yard strike from Chelsea's Michael Ballack gave the Germans and early lead and they made sure of victory at the start of the second half when Ashley Williams scored an own-goal.
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