The post mortem at the SK Slovan Stadium had a familiar ring to it as Nigel Worthington and his players attempted to unravel the reasons why Northern Ireland were once again little more than a shadow of the team who have made a habit of embarrassing bigger names at Windsor Park.

Just as the stirring Euro 2008 qualifying campaign was ultimately derailed by defeats in Latvia and Iceland, so the province’s 2010 World Cup ambitions were severely dented by an average Slovakia side. A disputed penalty appeal notwithstanding, the Irish were beaten because of their failure to deal with the set-pieces that led to both of the home side’s goals.

Two years ago, with Lawrie Sanchez as the manager, the Irish recovered from a depressing 3-0 opening defeat by Iceland with a memorable 3-2 home win over Spain and a similar performance is required against the Czech Republic in Belfast on Wednesday. It will be one of Worthington’s biggest tests and defeat could have potentially fatal consequences to his ambitions of qualifying from group three.

“It was just one of those nights but we keep saying that and we can’t afford to keep having one of these nights,” David Healy, the forward, said. “All the players were looking forward to the start of the campaign. Now there is huge pressure on the Czech Republic game and we are going to have to lift ourselves for that.”

Martin Skrtel, the Liverpool defender, headed Slovakia ahead in the 46th minute, then, while Northern Ireland were complaining after Chris Baird was denied a penalty for handball, the home side built the attack that led to the second goal by Marek Hamsik.

Worthington’s side improved late on, forcing an own goal by Jan Durica nine minutes from time to ensure that some positives can be taken into Wednesday’s game.

Slovakia ratings

4-5-1

S Senecky 8 P Pekarik 6 M Skrtel 7 M Petras 5 J Durica 5 M Sapara 6 M Karhan 7 J Kozak 7 M Hamsik 7 R Vittek 6 M Jakubko 6

Substitutes D Svento 6 (for Jakubko, 59min); R Zabavnik (for Karhan, 75); M Mintal (for Vittek, 84). Not used J Mucha, J Novak, B Obzera, F Sebo.

N Ireland ratings

4-5-1

M Taylor 7 J Evans 7 S Craigan 5 A Hughes 5 G McCartney 6 K Gillespie 5 S Clingan 7 C Baird 5 S Davis 5 M Paterson 5 D Healy 6

Substitutes W Feeney 6 (for Gillespie, 53min); C Brunt 6 (for Paterson, 66); D Sheils (for Baird, 78). Not used P Thompson, A Mannus, G McAuley, R McGivern.

Referee N Ivanov (Russia) Attendance 5,445

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