UNLIKELY achievements in the face of adversity have characterised Bryan Hamilton's spell in charge of Northern Ireland but, yesterday in Kiev, not even his team's trademark stubbornness could defy Ukraine. Although lain Dowie equalised Vitaly Kosovsky's early strike, they had no answer to Andrei Shavchenko's goal 20 minutes from the end.

Although qualification is not impossible, it is probably safe to say Northern Ireland will be watching the finals on television. Ukraine, meanwhile, are in pole position - not many sides take, six points off Northern Ireland.

Hamilton had made two changes from Saturday's Portugal game, bringing in Michael Hughes for James Quinn as expected but surprisingly Kevin Horlock replaced Jim Magilton, not Ian Nolan, and he moved to right back allowing Horlock to play on the left.

However, no re jigged formation could have been prepared for Keith Gillespie's error in the second minute when he made a rash dash across the face of his own area and was dispossessed. The Ukranians had won a free kick on the right and their influential captain Yuri Kalitventsev took it.

An Irish head cleared and Gillespie collected but, once he was tackled, Northern Ireland were back pedalling nervously. Vitaly Kosovsky, a midfielder, picked up the loose ball, ran to the 18 yard line and fired with, power and accuracy into Wright's top corner.

The goalkeeper, Northern Ireland captain for the day, had no chance. A worse start was scarcely imaginable and with the 20 year old forward Shavchenko justifying his exciting reputation with swift and skilful running the Irish back three of Colin Hill, Gerry Taggart and Steve Morrow were worried men.

Gradually, though, as Neil Lennon asserted himself, Northern Ireland settled and their composure was aided considerably by Gillespie's first run at the other end. Beating Viktor Skrypnyk with a jink down the right Gillespie's deep cross was met on the volley at the far post by Hughes.

As the ball flashed across goal it struck Oleg Luzhni's outstretched arm and there were few arguments when the referee awarded the penalty. Dowie's spot kick was hard, low and successful.

When Shavchenko fell dramatically in a challenge with Wright everybody stopped, expecting another penalty. The referee however, waved play on.

The second half began brightly for the visitors with Hughes and Gillespie lively and Dowie threatening with a couple of headers. But around the hour mark Vassili Kardash and Kalitvintsev took control. Always quick on the break Kardash hit the woodwork, Sergei Rebrov and Dmitri Mikhailenko went close and only two interceptions by Taggart prevented further danger.

It was therefore no great surprise when Kalitvintsev delivered a probing pass over Morrow and Shavchenko beat both Taggart and Wright to the ball and hooked it into the empty net.

Quinn and Gerard McMahon came on up front but Northern Ireland never suggested they could retrieve this situation again.