Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill just one win away from France 2016

NORTHERN Ireland survived an early scare to go top of Group F after a 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands.

The vital win puts Michael O’Neill’s men on the brink of Euro 2016 qualification after beating the 10-man Faroe Islands.

His team men took an early lead when Gareth McAuley headed in but the Faroes levelled before half-time through Joan Simun Edmundsson.

But the Green and White Army struggled until Edmundsson was sent off in the 64th minute for a second yellow card offence.

West Brom’s McAuley stooped in the penalty box to head home his second goal.

And Norwich striker Kyle Lafferty rounded the keeper to get his sixth of the qualifiers with 15 minutes to go.

It means that if Northern Ireland beat Hungary at Windsor Park on Monday night they will be heading to France next summer – the first time the team has qualified for a major championship since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.