I love romantic stories. Could there be one brewing in Belfast?

Two seasons ago I stood on the terraces at Haig Avenue watching Dion Charles score time and time again for non-league Southport in a league featuring Blyth Spartans, Guiseley and Curzon Ashton.

Imagine him coming off the bench to score the winner in a must-win World Cup qualifier?

It's enough to warm your heart.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

This is a huge 45 minutes coming up for Northern Ireland.

That this is a must-win game for them was very much the theme of the pre-match build-up, and, while they improved slightly during the latter stages of the half, Bulgaria are there for the taking.

Josh Magennis looked lively, particularly in the first half hour, and while he has come close to scoring and created chances as well, strike partner Gavin Whyte has looked very quiet.

Ian Baraclough has Dion Charles on the bench, fresh from an encouraging debut against USA here on Sunday, and you wonder would the manager be tempted to throw him on again.

They've had chances but it's goalless at the break. A big second half coming up for Northern Ireland.

It comes to nothing as Jonny Evans concedes a free-kick inside Bulgaria's box. Disappointing. Antov was booked for catching Whyte.

A quick throw-in by Stuart Dallas and Valentin Ivaylov Antov catches Gavin Whyte with his arm.

Free-kick to Northern Ireland in a decent position.

Three additional minutes.

A blow for Bulgaria.

Skipper Georgi Kostadinov has taken a knock and cannot continue.

Petar Vitanov is on for his second cap.

It's all a bit scrappy with half-time looming. A big team talk coming up from Ian Baraclough. Will he inspire his players? Remember, Norther Ireland need to win this if they are to keep their World Cup 2022 hopes alive.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

Bailey Peacock-Farrell made a bad mistake for a goal in Italy and he has just got away with another poor error.

Bulgaria have looked utterly toothless so far but a hopeful free-kick into box was dropped by the Burnley keeper and it ended up in a chance for Valentin Antov which he headed over.

A warning for Northern Ireland who have been on top since the start.

Bulgaria have had one attempt - Valentin Antov's header over the bar after a mistake by Bailey Peacock-Farrell. Northern Ireland have had four and hit the bar. It's still goalless. A familiar story.

There's another game in Group C taking place. Leaders Italy are being held 0-0 away to third-placed Lithuania as it stands.

Paddy McNair goes into the referee's notebook after a foul on Ivaylo Chochev. I'm not sure the referee was going to do anything about that before he was surrounded by Bulgaria's players and eventually reached for his pocket.

Josh Magennis is proving a real handful. Paddy McNair's set-pieces are causing Bulgaria a real headache.

Jonny Evans tries to spark another attack but his long punt forward for Josh Magennis is over-cooked.

This has been a good spell for Northern Ireland. The only thing missing is a goal. Where have you heard that before?

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

It's been far from electrifying from the home side, but Northern Ireland can take heart from the fact that they have created a few decent chances in the opening 25 minutes.

Stuart Dallas' header against the crossbar from a great Josh Magennis cross was unlucky, with the visiting goalkeeper beaten

Magennis has been busy up top - as ever - but he could do with his striker partner Gavin Whyte getting a little bit closer to him.

While neat and tidy, there has been no sign of Bulgaria getting in behind NI, but the worry for the hosts would be their visitors playing their way into the match.

John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

It was a great ball by Davis, a wonderful turn from Magennis and his cross is chipped to the back post. Dallas gets up well but it's maybe too high and he can't get the power to steer it in. On another night it may have bounced to a green shirt. That could be the spark that Northern Ireland needed.

More encouragement for Northern Ireland.

Josh Magennis flicks a header narrowly over the bar after a Paddy McNair free-kick.

They're knocking on the door!

Dallas was about eight yards out when he thundered that effort against the bar. So unlucky for the Leeds United man but Ian Baraclough will be encouraged by that.

That's so close!

Superb work by Josh Magennis who delivers a fine cross for Stuart Dallas who sends his header crashing against the bar.

Northern Ireland's best move so far.

Twenty minutes on the clock. Two attempts. One on target. Very little else to report.