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Northern Ireland's hopes of reaching the World Cup finals are still alive after they battled to a 1-1 draw against Poland in Chorzow.

Kyle Lafferty's first-half goal looked for a long time as though it would send Nigel Worthington's side top of qualifying Group 3, only for Mariusz Lewandowski to equalise in a second half that Poland completely dominated.

The result means that the top four teams in the group remain in the same positions, with leaders Slovakia two points clear of Northern Ireland with a game in hand following their 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic.

Manager Nigel Worthington was part of the last Northern Ireland side to reach a World Cup finals - in Mexico in 1986 - but his side remain in a good position to reaching a play-off for a place in South Africa.

Northern Ireland almost pulled off a textbook away international performance, soaking up the pressure from an attacking Poland side and counter-attacking effectively and frustrating the home crowd. Despite such a game plan, Worthington took the bold step of playing two strikers away from home and the move paid dividends.

With a quarter of an hour gone following a Poland attack, goalkeeper Maik Taylor sent a long ball up to Lafferty, who fought off two men as he ran from the centre circle before drilling a low shot wide of Artur Boruc's far post.

Rangers striker Lafferty was to eventually get the better of his Celtic rival when David Healy released him into plenty of space with a well-guided through ball, and Lafferty had all the time he needed to steady himself before finishing through the legs of Boruc.

The Ulstermen may have made a good job of stifling Poland, aiming for their third straight World Cup, but Leo Beenhakker's side had their share of opportunities.

Gareth McAuley was the outstanding member of a back four that performed admirably throughout, and the Ipswich defender was called upon to make several timely challenges and interceptions during the first half, while Jonny Evans had to head an effort from Lewandowski off the line.

The fortunes of the Irish changed acutely soon after the break when the excellent Lafferty took a hard knock to the ankle and had to be substituted a few minutes later.

Burnley striker Martin Paterson replaced him, and not long after his arrival he spurned two excellent chances to seal a famous win.

As Paterson led the break out from a Poland corner, he had options to pass on either side of him but instead elected to strike from distance and unleashed a soft effort that failed to trouble Boruc.

Moments later, he found himself through on goal but, with Boruc quick off his line and spreading himself well, could only sidefoot his shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Those misses, added to the lack of aerial presence in Lafferty's absence, saw Poland seize the initiative and virtually lay siege to the visitors' goal for the remainder of the match.

Roger Guerrero and substitute Robert Lewandowski were among the Polish players denied by Taylor and his defenders before they finally broke through with 10 minutes to go when a slick, incisive move through the middle culminated in Mariusz Lewandowski and two Irish players all sliding in as a low ball across the six-yard area was turned into the net.

Slovakia 2-2 Czech Republic

Milan Baros pounced for an 84th-minute equaliser to earn Czech Republic a 2-2 draw with Group 3 leaders Slovakia.

Stanislav Sestak gave Slovakia the lead in the 60th minute from a pass by Robert Vittek before Daniel Pudil quickly levelled.

Marek Hamsik restored the home team's lead with a 73rd-minute penalty but his night ended in misery when he was sent off two minutes later, a red card that means he will be suspended against Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

The Czechs are second from bottom, with nine points from seven matches. Slovakia lead the way on 16.

"We have to fight to have any chance of advancing," Czech coach Ivan Hasek told Slovak television.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport / Reuters