Northern Ireland's win in Malta was marred by a red card for their two coaches.
Sammy McIlroy and Jimmy Harvey were red carded by Austrian referee Manfred Schuttengruber with McIlroy sent off for throwing the ball at Malta striker Michael Mifsud in the second half. Harvey was then dismissed later for encroachment from his technical area.
By then former Manchester United and Port Vale forward David Healy had given the visitors the lead in the 57th minute. Mifsud pulled back Healy on a run to concede the penalty for his eighth international goal on his 15th appearance. Damien Johnson later drove a shot against the post as the Irish tried to extend their lead.
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