Women's World Cup qualifier: Northern Ireland 0-2 Scotland

NI's Julie Nelson in aerial action against Scotland's Jennifer Beattie

Scotland got their Women's World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with victory over Northern Ireland in Belfast.

The Scots, who lost 3-1 to Sweden on Saturday, took the lead before half-time through Kim Little's free-kick.

Suzanne Lappin had a couple of decent opportunities as the visitors searched for a second.

And Anna Signeul's side did find the net again when Jane Ross netted 14 minutes from time.

Scotland remain level on points with group leaders Sweden, who beat Faroe Islands 5-0 and also have a game in hand.

Seattle Reign's Little fired the visitors ahead seconds before the half-time whistle.

Kim Little celebrates with team-mates after scoring Scotland's first goal

The 23-year-old drilled home from just a couple of yards outside the penalty area, a strike too good for goalkeeper Emma Higgins.

Little had earlier forced the first save of the match from Higgins.

Ross then raced clear for the Scots but, when a shot looked on, misplaced an attempted pass to Little and the chance was gone.

Northern Ireland, whose only two points in the qualifying campaign for the 2015 finals in Canada have come from 0-0 draws, had few chances.

However, they looked like getting to the interval on level terms until Little's well-struck free-kick broke the deadlock.

Lappin missed a couple of good chances to double Scotland's lead after the break.

First, she just failed to get a telling touch in front of goal when the ball was delivered in low from the left and then sent a header off target when well placed to score.

However, the visitors got their second goal with Ross tucking the ball away after being put in by Little.

So, Scotland remain in contention with the Swedes for top spot in the group and the one automatic qualifying place. A play-off place as one of the best runners-up could be the consolation prize.

Northern Ireland, bottom of the group and without a goal in their eight qualifiers, have two games left in the campaign - away to Poland and then at home to the Faroe Islands in September.