A magnificent chip from David Healy gave Northern Ireland a 2-1 triumph against Denmark and kept their slim qualifying hopes alive.

The Fulham man scored the winner 10 minutes from time at a soggy Windsor Park. It was his 13th goal of the campaign, a record for any player in European Championship qualifying.

The match almost did not take place, as torrential rain in Belfast left the pitch with patches of standing water.

At times the surface was virtually unplayable - the ball frequently holding up in puddles - but it improved as the game went on and a stodgy first half was followed by a thrilling second period.

Nicklas Bendtner gave Denmark the lead on 51 minutes, before Warren Feeney levelled with a glancing header. Healy's brilliant effort ought not to have been the winner, however, as referee Pieter Vink missed a clear handball on the line by Gary Clinghan in stoppage time.

The match started slowly, with rain continuing to fall and the players struggling to adjust to the soaking conditions.

Dennis Rommedahl missed an early chance, arriving at the back post to meet a Bendtner cross but skying his effort.

Five minutes later Healy tried his luck from long range, but Thomas Sorensen got down well to parry and them leapt on the rebound.

Sorensen's Aston Villa team-mate Martin Laursen headed just over from a corner just before the break but meaningful action was at a premium.

Keith Gillespie was guilty of a trip and picked up a yellow card that rules him out of Wednesday's trip to Spain. He was lucky not to be sent off appearing to stamp on the Danish goalkeeper's hand.

Denmark started the second period impressively, with Christian Poulsen picking out Bendtner with an excellent through-ball, and Maik Taylor needing to stay big to deny the Arsenal man.

Seconds later Bendtner found the net, somehow evading four defenders in the home box and prodding the ball past Taylor.

Northern Ireland responded magnificently, with Feeney testing Sorensen with a glancing header and Steven Davis going close with a skidding long shot.

Just after the hour mark, it was one each, when the otherwise disappointing Chris Brunt landed a cross on Feeney's head and the Swansea man directed the ball into the far corner.

Feeney was not finished, and struck the post with a terrific dipping volley from fully 30 yards before firing just wide from close range.

It took a piece of magic from the talismanic Healy to secure the points, though. Surrounded by defenders in the Denmark area, it looked as though he had no options, but clipped the ball over Sorensen and into the left corner with utter brilliance.

The Danes poured forward, with Dennis Rommedahl striking the post with a free-kick before Clinghan used a flailing hand on the line to stop a sure equaliser. Vink did not see the offence, and Windsor Park celebrated the final home success of a remarkable campaign.

Northern Ireland can still qualify, but must beat Spain in Las Palmas on Wednesday and hope Sweden lose at home to Latvia.

Alex Chick / Eurosport