Northern Ireland 2-0 Estonia: Niall McGinn and Steven Davis ignite Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with three points at Windsor Park Paddy McNair spurned glorious opportunity to put Northern Ireland ahead with free header four yards out Niall McGinn broke the deadlock in the second half, lashing in left-foot half volley from Kyle Lafferty pass McNair refused to allow missed opportunity to put him off getting in dangerous areas but again headed over Northern Ireland were then awarded a penalty for a high foot on George Saville just inside the area Steven Davis struck his penalty straight down the middle to give his side a comfortable cushion By Chris Wheeler for MailOnline Published: 21:36 GMT, 21 March 2019 | Updated: 21:59 GMT, 21 March 2019 1 Viewcomments Advertisement It's been a long wait for Niall McGinn since he made his international debut more than a decade ago, but the Aberdeen winger’s first goal at Windsor Park set up a valuable Group C win. Manager Michael O’Neill had emphasised the importance of victory in the first two games against Estonia and Belarus, with Germany and Holland waiting ominously later in the campaign. And just when it looked like being a night of frustration in Belfast, McGinn broke the deadlock in the 56th minute to calm Northern Ireland nerves. Steven Davis scored the second goal of the game to put Northern Ireland in full control from the penalty spot The midfielder looked concerned as the goalkeeper managed a touch but he could not prevent the goal The home side came together in celebration after doubling the lead in front of the crowd at Windsor Park Niall McGinn clenched his fist in celebration after opening the scoring for Northern Ireland against Estonia Kyle Lafferty teed up McGinn and he made no mistake, slamming his finish home with a powerful finish Windsor Park erupted as the hosts took a well earned lead having dominated the game against their opponents MATCH FACTS: Northern Ireland (4-3-3): Peacock-Farrell 7; Dallas 7, Cathcart 6, J Evans 6.5, Lewis 6.5; McNair 5, Davis 7, Saville 6.5; McGinn 7.5 (McLaughlin 84), Lafferty 7 (Magennis 76, 6.5), Jones 8 (Ferguson 81) Unused substitutes: Flanagan, Boyce, McGovern, Thompson, Ballard, Hughes, Washington, Smyth, Hazard Goals: McGinn (56), Davis (75) Estonia: Lepmets, Kams, Baranov, Vihmann, Tamm, Pikk, Anier (Zenjov), Dmitrijev (Sappinen), Mets, Ojamaa (Vassiljev), Kait Unused substitutes: Aksalu, Kruglov, Lepistu, Kuusk, Liivak, Roosnupp, Kallaste, Meerits Bookings: Tamm Jordan Jones was excellent down the left flank throughout and it was his cross that led to the goal. Kyle Lafferty did enough to disrupt the Estonia defence and prod the ball square to McGinn who turned it home from 10 yards. No-one was more relieved to see it go in than Paddy McNair after he was guilty of a quite awful miss in the first half. Again Jones was the provider, hooking a cross into the box. It found McNair unmarked four yards in front of goal but the Middlesbrough midfielder somehow contrived to head the ball down and over the bar with only goalkeeper Sergei Lepmets to beat. McGinn and Jones also fired narrowly wide in a one-sided first half while Lepmets had to be alert to save Craig Cathcart’s header from McGinn’s freekick. Northern Ireland were also unfortunate that Croatian referee Ivan Bebek did not award a penalty just before the half hour mark when Jamal Lewis was taken down in full flight by Nikita Baranov. McGinn’s goal opened the game up and Leeds goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell preserved Northern Ireland’s lead when he came out to save one-on-one from Henri Anier. But captain Steven Davis made sure of victory when he converted a 75th minute penalty after Bebeck had pointed to the spot for Estonia skipper Karol Mets’ foul on George Saville. The result ended a run of eight competitive games without a win for Northern Ireland and leaves O’Neill’s side in good shape for Sunday’s second qualifier here against Belarus. McGinn slid on his knees in delight after emphatically putting Northern Ireland into the lead shortly after the break Paddy McNair missed a glorious chance to put Northern Ireland ahead with a free header from close range McNair headed his effort into the turf and the Estonia defenders were relieved to see the ball bounce over the crossbar Michael O'Neill's side dominated possession in the first half but failed to find a way through the stubborn rearguard Kyle Lafferty worked hard to hold the ball up for his team-mates but came into the game without a goal in 12 internationals Stuart Dallas (left) went airborne in a challenge for the ball against Henrik Ojamaa (right) before landing in a heap Lafferty toiled without much success and the Estonian defence were well organised in a deep block in their half Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility