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David Healy, Gavin McCann, Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis were on target as Northern Ireland coasted to a 4-0 victory over San Marino at Windsor Park.

After a truly one sided encounter Northern Ireland managed to get their first win in Group 3.

Although it took Nigel Worthington's charges 30 minutes to find the breakthrough there was never a sense of urgency around Windsor Park.

Michael O'Connor, on his full debut, headed just over the bar after only four minutes.

Further chances were created by McCann and Keith Gillespie who were causing Federico Valentini in the San Marino net all sorts of problems with fine crosses into the area.

Moments before he got the opener Healy should have put his side a goal to the good but squandered a good chance when one-on-one.

However he made no mistake on the half hour mark when he bagged his 35th international goal with a shot from around 12 yards which squirmed under Valentini.

It was not long before the Ulstermen extended their lead with a strike that had the feeling of guaranteeing them all three points.

This time it McCann was on hand to rifle in an unstoppable shot from just outside the area after Healy had teed him up from a Davis pass.

The first period ended on a sour note when Ricardo Selva was forced off after collapsing off the ball with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

There was no respite for the visitors in the second half as Northern Ireland once again came roaring out of the blocks.

Ten minutes in Healy turned provider as Valentini was only able to palm his powerful shot into the path of Lafferty, who fired into the open goal to make it 3-0.

Frustration in the San Marino ranks was evident and Mauro Marani received his marching orders just seven minutes later. The defender, who was one of their more impressive performers, needlessly thrust his forearm into the face of O'Connor after a harmless tackle in the centre circle.

Lafferty and Rangers club mate Davis put the icing on the cake for the home side with 15 minutes left on the clock.

The big striker fired across the box and Davis made no mistake with a deft back heel past Valentini.

Northern Ireland move up to fourth in the group on as many points and will take comfort that their next match is against the same opposition in February.

Czech Republic 1-0 Slovenia

Libor Sionko's second half goal led the Czech Republic to a 1-0 victory over Slovenia in Teplice.

The Czechs, looking to revive their campaign after securing just one point from their opening two matches, made sure of a first victory after September's draw in Northern Ireland and Saturday's loss in Poland.

FC Copenhagen midfielder Sionko put the Czechs ahead in the 62nd minute, heading in Marek Jankulovski's centre from close range.

The Slovenians made a better start and pressured the Czech defence throughout the first half.

Daniel Zitka, the Czech's reserve keeper in for the injured Petr Cech, dived at the feet of Zlatko Dedic who was charging alone at goal 29 minutes in.

Jaroslav Plasil came close early in the second half after a pass from striker Milan Baros, but the visitors goalkeeper Samir Handanovic covered his shot well.

Galatrasaray striker Baros had several more opportunities before Sionko decided the contest just after the hour.

Slovakia 2-1 Poland

Two late goals from Stanislav Sestak gave Slovakia victory in Bratislava.

Poland took the lead after Jakub Blaszczykowski set up Ebi Smolarek who slotted home from close range 20 minutes from time.

Sestak scored his first in the 85th minute after a mistake by Polish keeper Artur Boruc who slipped, dropped the ball and offered the Slovak midfielder an easy chance to score.

He added the second a minute later, pushing in a rebound after a cross by substitute Jan Kozak from the right.

The win puts Slovakia on top of Group Three with nine points. Poland and Slovenia have seven points.

Fintan Quinn / Reuters