The hosts win a free-kick and it's a dangerous ball in, but Ballard is alert to stoop down and head the danger away.

Paul Smyth is on for the second half. He made an impact when he came on in Slovenia, and Michael O'Neill will be hoping for something similar.

Jordan Thompson has replaced George Saville, while Conor McMenamin has also been taken off.

Warren Feeney
Former Northern Ireland striker on BBC Radio Ulster

Something needs to change.

Smyth came on the other night, he's got energy and he's quick. It's a slippy surface you seen the pitch- it's fast.

I would put him on - he will give 100% the kid and he's in good form with his club as well.

Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Sport NI

The onus is on Northern Ireland to come out and have a real go.

Conor has shown glimpses, there have been glimpses, but just final ball has let Northern Ireland down.

Jim Magilton
Former Northern Ireland midfielder on BBC Sport NI

Samorodov is the one that actually stops Conor McMenamin from scoring and if we're talking about both boxes, he has certainly earned his stripes today.

Image source, Press Eye

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

We saw McMenamin on Thursday night but unfortunately he's not getting the service he got on Thursday night.

To be honest, I think Kazakhstan have had a look at that game and they are trying to double up on him when he does get the ball.

Image source, Press Eye

We've had another look at that huge Conor McMenamin chance moments before the break.

It was great from Conor Washington to find Matty Kennedy in the area, but the winger can't get the ball out of his feet and it bobbles towards the goal and McMenamin looks like he just have to tap it home from a yard out.

However, goalscorer Samorodov was really alert to dive in and stop McMenamin grabbing the equaliser. He's made a big impact at both ends.

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

I think Northern Ireland are still well in the game, they had one chance and scored and we had one chance and it was cleared off the line.

They're not a great side but, having said that, Northern Ireland aren't playing particularly well either.

The next goal will decide the game, if they go 2-0 up the game is over but if we can get a goal and get back in it then we're capable of winning this game because of the quality of the opposition but you have to say overall, it's not a great game.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI

Conor McMenamin earned a lot of well-deserved praise for his performance in Ljubljana on Thursday night, but he really will be wondering how he didn't get his first international goal there.

It was crying out for the ball to be lashed home from close range but somehow Maxim Samorodov was able to slide in and clear to deny the former Glentoran winger.

His touch and passing have been off every time he has had the ball since the miss, too. Hopefully he can regroup now at half-time with the rest of the team and get going again in the second half.

And the two minutes of additional time are over.

Maksim Samorodov's strike is the difference at the break.

Image source, BBC Sport

We're into two minutes of additional time.

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

Originally I thought Kennedy was going to put it in himself but it came across and you think McMenamin is going to side foot this in but great defending.

George Saville's wait for an international goal goes on as he fires one high and wide from 25 yards.

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

We're making as many mistakes as we did on Thursday but we mentioned it before that the front two strikers would be feasting on these, they are obviously not as quality as the strikers that they had on Thursday night.

How on earth are Northern Ireland not level?!

Conor Washington found Matty Kennedy, and his shot bobbled across goal and Conor McMenamin looks like he will smash it home from a yard out, but goalscorer Maksim Samorodov gets a huge touch to stop him equalising.

A Mexican wave has started in the ground, which tells you everything you need to know about the amount of action in the first half.

Dan Ballard goes up for it but he heads over. Jonny Evans also went for it and the two collided, with the captain coming off worse but he's up and fit to continue.

Conor McMenamin drives towards the line and wins a corner.

Can Northern Ireland create something here as half-time approaches?

The hosts are playing with a lot of confidence now.

A long ball is played up towards Maksim Samorodov and he beats Bailey Peacock-Farrell to the ball, but it falls to a green shirt and Paddy McNair can clear.

Image source, Press Eye

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI

The misery continues for Northern Ireland.

Three defeats in a row became four on Thursday night and now it could soon be five.

In fairness, Michael O'Neill's men had looked comfortable in defence until the goal went in but were not threatening at all at the other end.

That will have to chance if they are to halt this worrying losing streak.