Nigel Worthington's reign as full-time Northern Ireland manager got off to a losing start as Bulgaria edged a tight friendly at Windsor Park.

Manchester City midfielder Martin Petrov did the damage when he broke through on goal after 38 minutes, although it was defender Jonny Evans who had the final touch in a desperate attempt to clear.

Northern Ireland's best chances fell to David Healy but the province's most celebrated goalscorer was unable to add to his international tally of 33. It was his country's first defeat on home soil in seven matches.

Bulgaria, ranked 18th in the world, were the better team but Northern Ireland encouraged Worthington by competing throughout and keeping Tottenham's £30million-rated striker Dimitar Berbatov quiet.

Healy, looking to put the frustrations of life on the Fulham periphery aside, had the first chance of the game as he turned and shot from the edge of the area but his effort went wide.

Bulgaria went close at the other end when Petrov floated in a free-kick but Zdravko Lazarov's header was deflected wide for a corner.

Healy again tried his luck again with an ambitious effort from long range but the ball dropped comfortably into goalkeeper Georgi Petkov's arms.

Bulgaria looked composed on the ball but Northern Ireland's defence started strongly and frustrated them in the final third.

Berbatov seemed up for the challenge despite the low-key nature of the fixture but he was continually frustrated and one promising run was abruptly halted by Nottingham Forest midfielder Sammy Clingan.

Stanislav Angelov got in a good shot from 20 yards but Maik Taylor's goal was not threatened.

Taylor was called into serious action for the first time after 24 minutes when he palmed over a strong Alexander Tunchev header from a well-flighted Petrov free-kick.

Bulgaria began to warm to the task midway through the first half and another Petrov cross was just inches too high for Berbatov.

Yet, despite being increasingly pegged back, Northern Ireland did show some attacking intent and Kyle Lafferty narrowly failed to make contact with a Chris Brunt cross in the six-yard box.

Bulgaria should have claimed the lead nine minutes before the interval when Berbatov set up Todor Yanchev but his weak shot was blocked. Lazarov had another chance as the ball came back in but he completely miskicked in front of goal.

The visitors deservedly went ahead after Petrov skipped past Keith Gillespie on the left and homed in on an exposed Taylor. The goalkeeper could do little as the City man fired across his body and Evans' desperate attempt to clear succeeded only in diverting the ball into the net.

Worthington, who had promised to look at as many players as possible, brought on three substitutes at the start of the second half and the unfortunate Evans was an immediate casualty.

Craigan, who joined the team after Motherwell's clash with Dundee was postponed on Tuesday night, entered the fray alongside Chris Baird and Steve Davis. George McCartney and Damien Johnson, back after 11 months out of the side through injury, were the other men to make way.

Bulgaria continued to make most of the running and Worthington made a further change just before the hour in bringing on Scunthorpe's Martin Paterson for Lafferty.

Petrov shot from a free-kick soon after but Taylor saved an attempt that was probably going wide anyway.

Paterson's first contribution was to win a free-kick on the edge of the area but Healy's effort was deflected over. Brunt then drilled in an effort from wide on the right but Petkov saved easily.

Berbatov, despite a quiet evening, remained a threatening presence and almost set up Ivelin Popov. Nikolay Dimitrov also shot just wide from 18 yards.

A few niggly challenges began to creep in as the game moved towards its climax and Paterson was aggrieved not to win a free-kick in dangerous territory.

He was booked minutes later for a crude challenge on Blagoy Georgiev.

Berbatov was withdrawn by Bulgaria nine minutes from time, while Worthington also decided to give Linfield goalkeeper Alan Mannus a late chance.

Healy had two late chances to equalise in the dying moments but he shot straight at substitute goalkeeper Dimitar Ivankov before firing over.

Teams:

Northern Ireland: Taylor (Mannus 83), McAuley, McCartney (Baird 46), Hughes, Evans (Craigan 46), Clingan, Gillespie (Thompson 78), Johnson (Davis 46), Healy, Lafferty (Paterson 60), Brunt.

Subs Not Used: Sproule, Webb, Robinson.

Booked: Paterson.

Bulgaria:,/B> Petkov (Ivankov 46), Angelov, Venkov (Zanev 73), Tunchev (Karaslavov 66), Tomasic, Milanov, Martin Petrov, Yanchev (Dimitrov 46), Georgiev, Berbatov (Domovchiyski 82), Lazarov (Popov 66).