Worthington: We must stay positive

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Northern Ireland had roared back into the game after Armann Bjornsson had opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Chris Brunt rattled the bar with a 25-yard thunderbolt and they created numerous chances before David Healy's equaliser in the 71st minute, but an own goal from Keith Gillespie in the last minute condemned the province to defeat.

Worthington said: "I thought we played well. We created three or four chances and scored one. We have to keep our heads up, keep smiling and look forward to what lies ahead."

He added: "This is a young group of players who can grow together and become a good team."

This was a much better show by Northern Ireland, whose remaining games are against Sweden and Spain away and Denmark at home.

They will probably have to win all three matches to have any chance of joining the big nations in Austria and Switzerland.

Worthington had some words of comfort for Gillespie and Chris Baird.

"It was a cruel way to lose but that is football for you. Sometimes you do not get what you deserve, " said the Northern Ireland boss.

"Keith was unlucky as was Chris. There was no logic to what happened. You can play well and get beaten. You can play poorly and win.

"I was delighted with the response of the players after Saturday. The work rate, the effort and commitment was all there. We have come away with nothing but we can take many positives after the Latvia match."