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Sandor Torghelle and Zoltan Gera scored the goals as Northern Ireland fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Hungary at Windsor Park.

Striker Torghelle put the visitors in the lead 12 minutes into the second half before Fulham star Gera sealed the win on 71 minutes with a fine strike from distance.

It was a fourth straight defeat for Northern Ireland at the hands of Hungary and dampens the optimism after their comfortable victory over San Marino in a World Cup qualifier last month.

Hungary dominated for long spells and almost took the lead in the 15th minute when the hosts were caught cold. Krisztian Vadocz hoisted the ball over the top and Torghelle was the first to react but he failed to test goalkeeper Maik Taylor, who was captaining the side, dragging his effort wide from a good position.

The visitors grew in confidence as the half went on and almost scored just after the half-hour when Szabolcs Huszti dragged his shot wide of the post after Gergely Rudolf had burst to the byline.

Northern Ireland's first real effort on goal did not come until the 54th minute. Chris Brunt swung in a cross from the left, with Keith Gillespie doing well to win the header from Peter Halmosi.

The ball spun into the path of David Healy but the goalkeeper cleared the striker's effort with his legs.

Hungary took the lead in the 57th minute after a surging run from Huszti. He clipped the ball back from the byline and Torghelle made no mistake from close range.

And the visitors regrouped after a good response from Northern Ireland and went 2-0 ahead in the 71st minute with a goal out of nothing from Fulham's Gera.

The midfielder latched on to a clearance from goalkeeper Gabor Babos and, with Jonny Evans backing off, he rifled a superb shot into the net from 25 yards.

Babos then did well to parry Healy's free-kick as the home side attempted to get back in the game.

But it was just a brief rally, leaving Hungary to take the spoils in the driving wind and rain.

Eurosport