BURNLEY striker Kyle Lafferty's first competitive international goal helped to steer Northern Ireland towards qualification for Euro 2008 with a 3-1 win over Liechtenstein at Windsor Park last night.

Lafferty did the groundwork for the first of strike partner David Healy's two goals in the fifth minute before sealing the win with a left-foot finish in the 56th minute, after pipping Warren Feeney to a place in the starting line-up in new manager Nigel Worthington's first game in charge.

And the 19-year-old, whose first goal for Northern Ireland was in a friendly against Finland just over a year ago, was delighted to get off the mark on home territory.

"I'm happy to get off the mark at Windsor, and it's just a great feeling," said Lafferty, who was hailed by boss Worthington after Northern Ireland moved a point clear of third placed Spain and two points behind leaders Sweden in Group F.

"The big man's got great ability. I've got a lot of belief in him, I've watched him play, I've played against him at club level. He's got a big future," said the former Norwich City boss.

"I've said to the players during the week, we've got to have other people scoring goals aswell as David (Healy), because that will enhance the whole group.

"Kyle's missed an open chance, by his standards, in the first half but he stuck at it and he got his just rewards for all his hard work.

"I thought his work-rate was absolutely magnificent."

And Worthington revealed he had no qualms about naming Lafferty in the starting line-up ahead of Feeney.

"About three weeks ago I made my mind up, pretty much, on the team, barring injuries.

"I watched the Lichtenstein dvd and I just thought a bit of height could cause them a few problems, and strength, and the big man great that in great style."

And Fulham striker Healy, who was the first to celebrate Lafferty's goal with the Enniskillen-born ace, said: "I was delighted for Kyle. Warren was probably slightly disappointed he didn't start, but it's a new manager with fresh ideas and Kyle got the nod and scored a goal.

"It meant something to me and it meant something to everybody.You could see the delight in Kyle's expression when he scored.

"It was his first goal at Windsor Park and hopefully there are many more to come."

Lafferty's Burnley team-mate, Michael Duff, played the full 90 minutes for Northern Ireland, who now face two away qualifiers next month against Latvia and Iceland, for whom Burnley midfielder Joey Gudjonsson was in action for last night as they drew 1-1 in a home friendly with Canada.

Fellow Claret Besart Berisha was also on the scoresheet for his country last night, grabbing the second in Albania's 3-0 friendly win at home to Malta.

Meanwhile, Clarets defender Steve Foster has been linked with a move to Barnsley, for a fee reportedly in the region of £100,000.

Foster was signed on a free transfer from Crewe in June 2006 and was a target when Andy Ritchie was in charge of the Tykes.

And it appears that Foster is Tykes' sights as they look to strengthen their rearguard.