Northern Ireland got their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign off to the worst possible start as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat against Iceland at Windsor Park.

Wee eider Downer was the star of the show as Iceland won their first away game for three years, since they beat the Faroe Islands.

It was all a far cry from 12 months ago when a David Healy goal helped Lawrie Sanchez's side beat England 1-0.

The match started brightly for Northern Ireland though, with Healy heading Keith Gillespie's pinpoint cross in the 12th minute just over the bar.

Just 60 seconds later Northern Ireland were made to pay for that miss as the visitors took the lead. Joey Gudjonsson was allowed to chest the ball down for Gunnar Heidar Thorvaldsson to turn and toe-poke a shot past Maik Taylor.

The hosts responded well but an unmarked Gillespie headed straight at Arni Gautur Arason in the Iceland goal in the 16th minute.Four minutes later it was 2-0 as poor marking at a corner allowed Hermann Hreidarsson to drill the ball home at the back post.

Back came Northern Ireland again, and in the 34th minute Gillespie dragged a 25-yard effort just wide with Arason beaten.

However, more defensive frailties by Sanchez's side allowed Iceland to make it 3-0 in the 37th minute. Gudjohnsen guided home his shot.

The boos rang around Windsor Park at the end of the first period.

In the 57th minute Gudjohnsen lofted a shot way over the bar from the edge of the penalty area before Healy had an effort ruled out for a push by James Quinn after the unmarked Leed United striker had forced the ball home at the far post.

Gudjohnsen almost added a fourth goal in stoppage time but, after a jinking run, Taylor raced off his line to deny him.