Ian Baraclough secured a first win in 90 minutes as Northern Ireland manager at the 12th attempt thanks to a 3-0 victory over Malta in Austria.
Jordan Jones capitalised on poor defending to score an early opener before Josh Magennis saw his penalty saved by Malta keeper Henry Bonello.
Northern Ireland improved in the second half with two goals in three minutes.
Gavin Whyte fired home at the back post before Ali McCann calmly slotted in from close range.
Jones gave Northern Ireland the perfect start with a second-minute strike but the remainder of the first half was a largely disjointed affair including the penalty miss.
The second-half display will boost confidence ahead of Thursday’s friendly, also to be played behind closed doors, against Ukraine in Dnipro.
Baraclough breaks ‘duck’ in Klagenfurt
The win in 90 minutes finally arrived for the Northern Ireland boss but it was uncomfortable viewing in the first half despite the early goal.
Ferdinando Apap’s errant pass gifted Jones the opportunity and the Rangers winger took it with a low shot clipping off Bonello before flying in.
Bonello got down to save Magennis’ spot-kick on 21 minutes – awarded for Kurt Shaw’s foul on Whyte – and the miss summed up a scrappy opening 45 minutes from Northern Ireland.
Malta went into the game 127 places below their opponents in the world rankings but they edged the first half with Joseph Mbong and Luke Montebello both going close.
There was more zip and purpose from Northern Ireland on the restart and Whyte smashed in from a Stuart Dallas pass to make it 2-0 after 53 minutes.
It was quickly followed by number three as McCann was picked out by Paddy McNair and he delivered a deft finish beyond Bonnello to put the game beyond a wilting Malta side.
Who caught the eye?
Most of the game was played out in typical end-of-season friendly mode and there were no stand-out performers throughout the 90 minutes,
Jones and McCann will be boosted by scoring their first international goals and both were taken with aplomb.
Stuart Dallas oversaw a victory as Northern Ireland captain in the absence of Steven Davis and it’s vital experience for the in-form Leeds midfielder.
Paddy McNair set up McCann for the third goal and the Middlesborough man was a valuable offensive asset from midfielder without Davis pulling the strings.
And there was was a Northern Ireland senior debut for Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley after his introduction at the Worthersee Stadion in the final minutes.
Chelsea defender Sam McClelland was the other uncapped player in the squad and the defender may get his first cap in Thursday’s friendly with Euro 2020-bound Ukraine.
Daniel Ballard missed the game as he celebrated helping his Blackpool side to victory in the League One play-off final on Sunday.
The defender will be available for the Ukraine along with Kilmarnock striker Kyle Lafferty.
