World Cup qualifying Group Six Poland 1 Northern Ireland 0: Maik Taylor made a string of superb saves last night but still could not save Northern Ireland from defeat in this World Cup qualifier.

It was all going according to plan until three minutes from time. That was when Maciej Zurawski made the breakthrough when he headed home a cross from Miroslaw Szymkowiak.

Birmingham goalkeeper Taylor was left with a feeling of disbelief after a tremendous one-man show. Manager Lawrie Sanchez made three changes to the side that lost to England at the weekend. Perhaps the most surprising name in the team was defender Mark Williams, now on loan at lowly Rushden & Diamonds from MK Dons. Williams linked up at the back against Poland alongside Aaron Hughes and Colin Murdock.

James Quinn rattled in a volley that was heading for the top corner but Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek reacted superbly to turn the shot away. Poland were beginning to raise the tempo and Tomasz Frankowski found space in the area after 53 minutes. He fired in a shot but Hughes stood his ground to make a crucial block.

Poland then secured the points with three minutes to go. It was a cruel blow for Northern Ireland who had defended so stoutly.

POLAND: Dudek, Klos, Rzasa (Kielbowicz 45), Baszcyznski,Kaluzny (Mila 67 mins), Bak, Karwan (Rasiak 74 mins), Zurawski, Szymkowiak, Frankowski. Subs Not Used: Boruc, Hajto, Smolarek, Sobolewski. Booked: Mila. Goals: Zurawski 86.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Taylor, Baird, Murdock, Williams (Elliott 88), Hughes, Capaldi, Gillespie, Davis, Whitley, Healy (Smith 81 mins), Quinn (Feeney 35 mins). Subs Not Used: Carroll, Craigan, Mulryne, Doherty. Booked: Quinn, Healy, Whitley, Murdock, Baird.

Referee: Peter Frojdfeldt (Sweden)