Northern Ireland sank to their first World Cup qualifying defeat when Iceland's Thordur Gudjonsson scored a last-minute winner in Reykjavik last night.
The Irish were on course to escape with a valuable point from the tiny Laugardalsvollur stadium when Iceland broke the deadlock with their last attack.
Roy Carroll came out for Eidur Gudjohnsen's free-kick only for Heidar Helguson to head it over the Irish goalkeeper and Gudjonsson nodded the ball into the empty net from just yards out.
The defeat was a sickening blow for Sammy McIlroy's side after they thought they had weathered the biting cold and a hot display from Iceland.
Iceland have a formidable record at home and during their creditable Euro 2000 qualifying campaign they beat Russia here and drew with France.
They began determined to register their first points after losing their opening two qualifiers and Aaron Hughes blocked a shot from Brynjar Gunnarsson before Helguson headed wide.
The Irish, for whom winning competitive away matches is as rare as trees on Iceland's lunar landscape - they have not recorded such a triumph for five years - withstood this brief, early flurry.
But back came Iceland and Gudjohnsen and Runar Kristinsson combined to release Helguson on the left - only for the Watford winger to shoot across Carroll's goal.
Iceland continued to make all the running and with the seconds running out, Carroll misjudged Gudjohnsen's free-kick and Iceland scored to the delight of their home fans.
Iceland: B Kristinsson, Vidarsson, Sverrisson, Hreidarsson, Helgason, T Gudjonsson, Gunnarsson, R Kristinsson (Gretarsson 46), Helguson, Gudjohnsen, Dadason (Sigurdsson 63). Subs Not Used: Gottskalksson, Kolvidsson, Gudmundsson, S Jonsson, Bjarnason. Booked: Helgason, Helguson. Goals: T Gudjonsson 89.
Northern Ireland: Carroll, A Hughes, Taggart (M Williams 46), Murdock, Lomas, Elliott (Gray 84), Magilton, Lennon, Johnson, Horlock, Healy. Subs Not Used: Wright, J Quinn, McGibbon, Mulryne, J Whitley. Booked: M Williams, Lomas.
Referee: M Merk (Germany).
