David Healy says Northern Ireland will not let their friendly defeat to Bulgaria derail their planning for next season's World Cup qualifiers.Nigel Worthington's side went down 1-0 at Windsor Park in the former Norwich manager's first match since being appointed full-time boss.

Worthington felt his side were given a good workout by strong opposition and was keen to take the positives from the first of only a handful of friendlies before the 2010 qualifying campaign begins in September.

His players were quick to agree and Healy, who endured a frustrating night in front of goal, felt he learned a lot from the opposition.

The Fulham forward believes the experience will stand him in good stead for forthcoming World Cup fixtures with the likes of the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

"We weren't great but at the end of the day we weren't awful. It was a difficult pitch and a difficult night," said the 28-year-old.

"They got the goal at the right time and we couldn't peg them back. We are disappointed, we don't like losing any games, but Nigel wanted to test the side and we'll bounce back I'm sure.

"We've got a lot of eastern European sides in our qualifying group and I think that's why Nigel wanted this game. They won't be easy. They are physically strong, they've got good players.

"There are big games coming up against a lot of physical sides similar to Bulgaria and we have got to beat them.

"We've got to take good things out of the game and hopefully we'll be better for Georgia next month."

The only goal of an occasionally scrappy encounter came after 38 minutes when Manchester City's Martin Petrov broke clear down the right and fired a shot across goal that was diverted in by defender Jonny Evans.

Healy, Northern Ireland's record goalscorer, spurned the hosts' best opportunities but it proved a frustrating night in front of goal.

Yet Northern Ireland at least competed throughout and can take heart from the way they defended, particularly in keeping Tottenham's star striker Dimitar Berbatov quiet.

Healy added: "I've played a lot of friendlies and we've under-performed on occasions.

"I don't think we did that here. We wanted to win, you could see that as some of the Bulgarian players were getting slightly upset with a few of the tackles.

"I think that just shows how much it meant to the boys.

"Although not at our best, we stuck at it and we were probably unfortunate not to get something out of it."

Worthington took the opportunity to look at as many options as possible by making the maximum six substitutions.

Sunderland's on-loan Manchester United defender Evans was one to benefit, starting for the first time in his preferred central position at the back.

He was withdrawn at half-time, as was Birmingham midfielder Damien Johnson on his return to the side after an 11-month absence through injury.

The Linfield pair of striker Peter Thompson and goalkeeper Alan Mannus were both given time in the second half and Scunthorpe forward Martin Paterson was also handed a second cap.

Regular starting defender Stephen Craigan, who only joined up with the squad after Motherwell's Scottish Cup tie against Dundee was postponed on Tuesday night, was also kept on the bench until the second half.

Craigan was another to take positives from the performance.

The 31-year-old said: "All in all we'd have loved to have taken something positive from it, whether it was a draw or a win but unfortunately it wasn't to be.

"That's the quality they (Bulgaria) possess. I was watching in the first half and they just played in little spells.

"They play for five minutes and then

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