Man of the match Jonny Evans hailed the tactics which secured Northern Ireland a goalless draw against Scotland tonight - a gameplan he believes will boost their World Cup qualification hopes.

The visitors kept a creditable clean sheet at Hampden Park, and could even have stolen victory had David Healy converted a second-half penalty.

It was both sides' final warm-up match before the World Cup qualifiers begin next month.

Praising manager Nigel Worthington's 4-5-1 formation, Manchester United youngster Evans said on Sky Sports 1: "We came here to do a job. We've had a bit of a bad run away from home over the last couple of years. That's just the history of Northern Ireland.

"Nigel and the rest of the team sat down earlier in the week and worked out a way to go away from home to pick up some valuable points in the up-and-coming qualifiers.

"Since I've come into the squad, there's been a tremendous work ethic. The lads all fight for each other. There's good team spirit."

Evans might have conceded a penalty had the officials ruled a handball deliberate.

"It caught my thumb," he said. "I've got a sore thumb but I didn't know anything about it so got away with it."

Healy revealed he felt tired after a lack of match action for Fulham recently.

"I haven't played many pre-season games," he said.

"Nigel wanted us to come away from home, dig in. We`ve done that and we could have nicked it.

"(I) missed a penalty, Allan McGregor made a good save. I think he`s made his name the past couple of years making outstanding saves from the penalty spot.

"He chose right, I chose wrong."

Healy is reportedly on the brink of joining Sunderland but he refused to confirm he was signing, saying: "As of now, I`m still a Fulham player but we`ll see what happens."