Northern Ireland U21s finish qualifying campaign with defeat in Ukraine

NI striker Shayne Lavery was denied by the woodwork in the Kolos Arena

Northern Ireland Under-21s conceded three second-half goals to lose 3-0 to Ukraine in the final Euro 2021 qualifier on Tuesday.

The visitors created the better first-half chances in a snowy Kovalivka with Amrit Bansal-McNulty going close.

Shayne Lavery hit a post before Ukraine struck with Vladyslav Baboglo and Yevgeniy Isaenko netting.

A defensive mix-up let in Mykola Kukharevych for the third as Andy Crosby's team finished in fifth place.

Northern Ireland beat Ukraine in Ballymena last month and they impressed on a snow-bound pitch before slipping behind on 68 minutes.

Oliver Webber made a good save for Northern Ireland before Lavery fired wide and Bansal-McNulty saw his strike kept out by Vladyslav Kuckurek.

Lavery went closest to an opener two minutes into the second half when the Linfield striker rattled the woodwork.

But the hosts secured victory with three goals in just six minutes as Northern Ireland ended with nine points from their 10 Group H matches.