Defender Gareth McCauley scored twice from set pieces and Kyle Lafferty added a third as Northern Ireland beat the Faroe Islands 3-1 last night to move of Group F and stay on course for a first appearance in the European championship finals.

McCauley gave his side the lead in the 12th minute when the Faroes failed to clear a harmless-looking free-kick from deep on their left flank, allowing a grateful McCauley to stoop and head home.

A constant threat from set pieces themselves, the home side levelled in the 36th minute through Joan Edmundsson, who stabbed home Ragnar Nattestad’s pull-back after a long throw-in caused panic in the Irish defence.

Booked early in the first half, Edmundsson saw red following a late challenge in the 65th minute.

Six minutes later McCauley put his side in front again, holding off his marker to head home, and Lafferty put the game out of reach when he swivelled to rifle home a shot four minutes later.

The win takes Northern Ireland to 16 points, one ahead of Romania following their goalless draw away to Hungary, who have 12.

Northern Ireland are at home to Hungary on Monday when a win would guarantee them a top two spot and a place in next year’s finals in France.

Greece misery

Finland piled more misery on 2004 champions Greece with a 1-0 win in Piraeus.

Substitute Joel Pohjanpalo scored the only goal of the game when he rifled an effort past Greek goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis in the 75th minute.

Finland’s win retains their faint hopes of forcing a way into the play-of place while Greece remain bottom of the group without a win.