James Lawrie found the target in Northern Ireland Under-21s UEFA Championship qualifier against Iceland Under-21s, but could not prevent his side slumping to a third straight defeat.

The Port Vale striker pulled a goal back with 10 minutes remaining and despite increasing the pressure, Northern Ireland had nothing to show for their efforts.

After a goalless first half Iceland scored twice in the space of 14 minutes through Johann Gudmundsson and Josef Josefsson.

Acting manager Alfie Wylie was pleased with the way his side responded after losing 6-2 at home to Iceland.

He said: "It was a fantastic turnaround and we deserved a draw at least. We hammered them in the last 10 minutes but could not get that second goal.

"We were very unlucky. We had lots of possession but two mistakes cost us dear and it is hard to take.

"However I cannot fault the players for the quality they showed as well as their effort and commitment."

Teams:

Iceland U21 (0) 2 N Ireland U21 (0) 1

Iceland U21 Bjornsson, Fridgeirsson, Fjoluson, Helgason, Valgardsson (Josefsson 65), Ormarsson,Johannesson (Steindorsson 88), Sigurdsson, Kristjansson, Gudmundsson, Finnbogason (Sigthorsson 60).

Subs Not Used: Petursson, Laxdal.

Booked: Sigurdsson, Fridgeirsson, Johannesson.

Goals: Gudmundsson 57, Josefsson 71.

N Ireland U21 O'Neill, Flynn, Cathcart, Dudgeon, McClean, McQuoid (McKay 69), Chapman, Evans, Lawrie, Kee, Magennis.

Subs Not Used: Morgan, McCashin, Ramsey, Colligan, Bryan, Stewart.

Booked: Lawrie, Evans.

Goals: Lawrie 80.

Att: 30