Burton Albion duo Tom Flanagan and Matty Lund saw their Northern Ireland side take a step closer to the World Cup finals with victory over the Czech Republic yesterday.
Flanagan and Lund - back in the international squad after recovering from the ankle injury sustained in Albion's 2-1 win over Birmingham City last month - were unused substitutes at Windsor Park as goals from Johnny Evans and Chris Brunt secured second place in Group C for Michael O'Neill's men with a 2-0 win.
The result - their fifth successive victory - means Northern Ireland have secured second place in the group with two games to play, and they are well placed to earn a spot in November's play-offs.
They are still able to leapfrog Germany in top spot and clinch automatic qualification for next summer's finals in Russia, although they are four points adrift of the reigning world champions with two games to go.
Whatever the eventual outcome, O'Neill will be hopeful his side can carry the momentum from this superb win over the Czech Republic into October's games against the Germans and Norway.
"As a performance it is right up there," the Northern Ireland boss said of his side's latest success.
"But it’s a funny scenario because we don’t know the conclusion of it (qualification) yet.
"With the Greece game we knew we were going to the Euros. At this moment we are very happy but nothing is signed, sealed and delivered yet.
"We have won all four home games and not conceded a goal. Those things are huge feathers for us."
Brewers' record signing Liam Boyce was also part of Northern Ireland's earlier qualification bid before suffering a severe ACL injury in pre-season at Shrewsbury Town .
