Davis earns Northern Ireland draw in Israel

Israel and Northern Ireland brought their respective FIFA World Cup qualifying Group F campaigns to a close with a draw in Ramat Gan.

Neither side were able to qualify coming into their final fixture and, although the game started with few chances, the hosts edged ahead through Eden Ben Basat before half-time. Steven Davis's strike ensured the visitors avoided defeat and finished fifth in the six-team section, while Israel clinched third spot.

Openings were few and far between in a tight first half but Eli Guttman's charges gave the Itztadion Ramat Gan crowd something to cheer on 43 minutes in the stadium's final match before it is closed for refurbishment. Eyal Meshumar's cross from the right found Ben Basat unmarked and the forward headed in his seventh goal in ten internationals.

Northern Ireland were undeterred and stuck to their task in the second period. Indeed, they were rewarded for their efforts when Davis turned in Jamie Ward's pass to equalise for Michael O'Neill's men.