Summary

  • Montenegro 0-2 Northern Ireland (FT)

  • Lauren Wade opens scoring for NI; Demi Vance makes it 2-0

  • Second leg is at Windsor Park on Tuesday (19:00 GMT)

Live Reporting

Lauren McCann

  1. That's wrap

    Montenegro 0-2 Northern Ireland

    That is all from us as Northern Ireland take a two goal advantage into the second leg of this Women's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off.

    Second half headers from Lauren Wade and Demi Vance sealed the victory for Tanya Oxtoby's side, which puts them on course to retain their League B status.

    You can read Andy Gray's match report from the game in Podgorica here.

    Highlights and further reaction will also be available on the website later today.

    You can join us on Tuesday for coverage of the second leg at Windsor Park, the game will be available on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

    Thanks for joining us, goodbye for now!

    Lauren WadeInpho

  2. 'Nothing to fear'

    FT: Montenegro 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Julie Nelson
    Northern Ireland's most capped player on co-commentary

    The choosing of when to play slowly and when to move the ball quickly and the rhythm of the game is something that they can improve on going into Tuesday.

    It has improved as the game has went on here, but there is nothing to fear from our point of view.

  3. 'Substitutes brought energy'

    FT: Montenegro 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Julie Nelson
    Northern Ireland's most capped player on co-commentary

    We saw the energy the substitutes brought with both Caragh Hamilton and Megan Bell involved in the second goal and the energy and the legs they brought into the team.

    That shows that it's not just about the 11 players who start and the four or five that come on from the bench are just as important.

  4. Watch: Vance adds late second for NI

    FT: Montenegro 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Demi Vance wraps up the victory for Northern Ireland with a late header in injury time.

    Watch: Demi Vance make it 2-0 to Northern Ireland

  5. FULL-TIME

    Montenegro 0-2 Northern Ireland

    It's all over in Podgorica as Northern Ireland take a two goal advantage into the second leg in Belfast on Tuesday night.

    Whilst Northern Ireland missed a host of chances in the first half, Lauren Wade finally broke the deadlock with a header on 70 minutes, before Demi Vance added a late second in injury time.

    Tanya Oxtoby will be happy with the result, but will know that Northern Ireland can be more clinical.

    FT: Montenegro 0-2 Northern IrelandBBC Sport

    FT: Montenegro 0-2 Northern Ireland

  6. FT: Montenegro 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Andy Gray
    BBC Sport NI in Podgorica

    They were made to work for it but it's job done for Northern Ireland in this first leg.

  7. goal

    GOAL - Montenegro 0-2 Northern Ireland

    Demi Vance (91 mins)

    A well-worked second goal in injury time puts Northern Ireland in control of the tie.

    Caragh Hamilton feeds Megan Bell, who in turn, spreads the ball out to Rebecca McKenna on the right-hand side of the box and she picks out Vance, who stoops to head home to double Northern Ireland's advantage.

    Job done for Tanya Oxtoby's side in the first leg.

  8. Montenegro 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland are happy to keep possession as we enter the closing stages of the game with Montenegro tiring.

  9. Watch: Wade heads home opener

    Montenegro 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Lauren Wade meets Demi Vance's inviting cross to head Northern Ireland into the lead in Podgorica.

    Watch: Lauren Wade make it 1-0 to Northern Ireland

  10. 'Montenegro are now going to try push up the pitch'

    Montenegro 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Julie Nelson
    Northern Ireland's most capped player on co-commentary

    Northern Ireland being 1-0 up now they need to be switched on because it looks like Montenegro are now going to try push up the pitch a bit more and try to create a bit more.

    There will be opportunities for Northern Ireland in the transition, but they also need to be switched on defensively.

  11. Montenegro 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Demi Vance swings in a corner which Laura Rafferty meets and heads over the crossbar.

  12. SUBSTITUTIONS

    Montenegro 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Tanya Oxtoby makes two more changes with the experienced Nadene Caldwell coming on for Joely Andrews.

    Rachel Dugdale is also introduced for her first Northern Ireland cap since 2019, she replaces goal scorer Lauren Wade.

  13. Montenegro 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland seem content with their one goal advantage as we head into the final 10 minutes but they are still pressing for the second goal which would more accurately reflect their dominance.

  14. 'Definitely a goal that Northern Ireland deserve'

    Montenegro 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Julie Nelson
    Northern Ireland's most capped player on co-commentary

    Good ball in from Demi Vance and Lauren Wade did really well to find a bit of space in the box and to direct her header into the far corner.

    Definitely a goal that Northern Ireland deserve.

    Lauren WadeInpho
  15. goal

    GOAL - Montenegro 0-1 Northern Ireland

    Lauren Wade (70 mins)

    Northern Ireland have made the breakthrough and it is Lauren Wade!

    She makes it third time lucky in terms of chances, heading home from Demi Vance's deep delivery.

    It was coming and Northern Ireland finally have the lead they deserve.

    Lauren WadeInpho

  16. Montenegro 0-0 Northern Ireland

    Julie Nelson
    Northern Ireland's most capped player on co-commentary

    It's all got a bit scrappy from both teams in the middle of the pitch in the last five minutes.

  17. SUBSTITUTIONS

    Montenegro 0-0 Northern Ireland

    Tanya Oxtoby has turned to her bench again to try and find the spark Northern Ireland need as Megan Bell and Caragh Hamilton are on for Danielle Maxwell and Marissa Callaghan.

    Callaghan being replaced is understandable given her lack of competitive action recently.

    Jasna Djockovic and Medina Desic are off for Montenegro with Jelena Vujadinovic and Masa Tomasevic taking their places.

  18. CLOSE!

    Montenegro 0-0 Northern Ireland

    Demi Vance tries her luck from range with an arrowed effort which is pushed away by Anastasija Krstovic.

    The 20-year old has been busy in this game and is keeping her team in it.

    Northern Ireland have their 11th corner which they are again unable to make count.

    Demi VanceGetty Images

  19. Montenegro 0-0 Northern Ireland

    Armisa Kuc heads away Demi Vance's teasing corner delivery before anyone in green can get on the end of it.

    The ball is then recycled out to Joely Andrews, who picks out Danielle Maxwell with her cross, but she heads wide.

  20. 'Montenegro dropping deeper and deeper'

    Montenegro 0-0 Northern Ireland

    Julie Nelson
    Northern Ireland's most capped player on co-commentary

    Montenegro are dropping deeper and deeper in the opening 10 minutes of this half. It only seems like a matter of time until Northern Ireland can make one of their opportunities count.