Kyle Lafferty scored twice as Northern Ireland recorded an impressive 2-1 win over Finland in their Group F Euro 2016 qualification match on Sunday.

The victory has moved Northern Ireland onto 12 points from five games, while Finland remain in fourth position on four points.

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It was the visitors who made most of the early running, with Sakari Mattila and Teemu Pukki both having attempts in the opening seven minutes.

Jamie Ward came close for Northern Ireland after nine minutes, but his effort from distance was blocked. Finland continued to look the most likely, however, with Roman Eremenko passing up another decent chance two minutes later.

Steven Davis had a wonderful chance for the home side after 28 minutes, but the Southampton midfielder was denied by Lukas Hradecky following some poor defending from the visitors.

Northern Ireland took charge of the match late in the first period, however, following a double from Lafferty. First, the striker finished into the bottom corner from inside the box, before heading a Conor McLaughlin cross into the back of the net as the hosts led 2-0 at the break.

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Lafferty had a wonderful chance to score his third just three minutes into the second period, but after collecting a long pass from Jonny Evans, the forward had his effort just deflected over the crossbar by Paulus Arajuuri.

Niall McGinn then came close for the home side, but the midfielder fired wide, before Eremenko followed suit at the other end.

The end-to-end period of the match continued as the hour mark approached, with Ward having a close-range strike saved and Roy Carroll denying Jere Uronen down the other end.

Corry Evans had the chance to add a third for Northern Ireland 20 minutes from time, but the midfielder was denied as the score remained 2-0.

There was to be no hat-trick for Lafferty as the striker departed 10 minutes from time, but Northern Ireland held on for all three points despite a late scare when Berat Sadik found the back of the net for Finland in stoppage time.