Michael O'Neill praised the "mental" fortitude of his Northern Ireland players after they came from behind to defeat Estonia 2-1 on Saturday.
The side came into their Euro 2020 Group C qualifying match looking to make it three consecutive wins having defeated Belraus and Estonia on home soil in March.
However, it was Estonia who took the lead after 25 minutes in Talinn when Konstantin Vassiljev's low free kick beat goalkeeper Bailey Peacock Farrell.
The game was heading towards a frustrating defeat when Northern Ireland's second half substitutes turned things around in the space of three minutes.
We have a lot of players who are without clubs or who didn't play many minutes, but they are here in June playing for their country and giving a really good showing.
Michael O'Neill
On 77 minutes Conor Washington finished off a surging run with a shot which took a slight nick off Josh Magennis as it evaded Estonia goalkeeper Sergei Lepmets.
Magennis then turned home Jordan Jones' cross on 80 minutes to seal the maximum points for the side as they sit three points clear of Germany having played a game more.
"The mental side of these games is very difficult," O'Neill said afterwards.
"I'm delighted with how we were able to change the game in the second half because it is not easy at the end of a long season.
"We have a lot of players who are without clubs or who didn't play many minutes, but they are here in June playing for their country and giving a really good showing.
"I'm pleased for Conor Washington because he has had a very difficult season and hasn't played much first-team football, but he showed what he is about tonight.
"And Josh has had a difficult situation at Bolton but he has come in and again gets on the scoresheet. Jordan Jones also made a great difference and helped drag the boys through."
Northern Ireland, who are 20/1 to win Group C, travel to Belarus on Tuesday and are 13/8 to make it four successive wins, while the hosts are priced at 9/5 and the draw is 21/10.
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Michael O'Neill praised the "mental" fortitude of his Northern Ireland players after they came from behind to defeat Estonia 2-1 on Saturday.
The side came into their Euro 2020 Group C qualifying match looking to make it three consecutive wins having defeated Belraus and Estonia on home soil in March.
However, it was Estonia who took the lead after 25 minutes in Talinn when Konstantin Vassiljev's low free kick beat goalkeeper Bailey Peacock Farrell.
The game was heading towards a frustrating defeat when Northern Ireland's second half substitutes turned things around in the space of three minutes.
We have a lot of players who are without clubs or who didn't play many minutes, but they are here in June playing for their country and giving a really good showing.
Michael O'Neill
On 77 minutes Conor Washington finished off a surging run with a shot which took a slight nick off Josh Magennis as it evaded Estonia goalkeeper Sergei Lepmets.
Magennis then turned home Jordan Jones' cross on 80 minutes to seal the maximum points for the side as they sit three points clear of Germany having played a game more.
"The mental side of these games is very difficult," O'Neill said afterwards.
"I'm delighted with how we were able to change the game in the second half because it is not easy at the end of a long season.
"We have a lot of players who are without clubs or who didn't play many minutes, but they are here in June playing for their country and giving a really good showing.
"I'm pleased for Conor Washington because he has had a very difficult season and hasn't played much first-team football, but he showed what he is about tonight.
"And Josh has had a difficult situation at Bolton but he has come in and again gets on the scoresheet. Jordan Jones also made a great difference and helped drag the boys through."
Northern Ireland, who are 20/1 to win Group C, travel to Belarus on Tuesday and are 13/8 to make it four successive wins, while the hosts are priced at 9/5 and the draw is 21/10.
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Source: bet365.com