EURO 2016: Fairytale night match winner Conor Washington

Northern Ireland striker Conor Washington celebrates scoring his Windsor Park debut goal against Slovenia. Picture by Brian Little/Presseye

The QPR striker bagged the winner on his home debut as Northern Ireland saw off Slovenia in Belfast.

Washington struck in the 41st minute as Michael O’Neill’s men extended their unbeaten run to 10 games – eclipsing the long-standing record of Billy Bingham’s squads of the 1980s.

Roy Carroll also saved a second half penalty to help earn the victory.

“It was a fairytale tonight,” Washington said.

“To score in front of that crowd was just fantastic.

“It has to be one of the highlights of my career so far, without a doubt. It was a great experience.

“It was unbelievable. It is one of the best atmospheres I have ever played in, and that’s with only three of the four stands open at Windsor.

“Hopefully I get to experience it many times in the future.”

Reflecting on his display, the ex-Peterborough man Washington added: “I enjoyed it. As a striker you want to score goals, and I managed to do that.

“I had another good chance to score but the keeper saved it. I could maybe have teed up Wardy (Jamie Ward) but I went myself.

“I just worked hard and tried to fit into the team and work hard. It wasn’t a bad performance.”

Despite Monday evening’s stellar showing, Washington admits he still has work to do to convince O’Neill that he should go to France in June.

“I wouldn’t say I am nailed on for France now. I will just take it one game at a time,” he added.

“I have to keep working hard at QPR and see where it takes us.”