Pearce sits out again for U19s
Last updated : 11 October 2008 By Daniel Elwes
Brian Eastick's side followed on from the comfortable 3-0 win over Albania U19 with this success over the hosts in the four-team mini-tournament.
The top two finishers - England now guaranteed to be one of them - will go through to the final stage of qualifying, another four-team group, with the prize of a place in the summer's European Championship at stake.
Northern Ireland had actully taken an early lead, but the Arsenal midfielder Henri Lansbury hauled the Three Lions level after 25 minutes then put them ahead six minutes before the half-time interval.
Rhys Murphy added England's third in the closing stages of the game at Windsor Park.
Pearce will miss United's League One game against Crewe Alexandra at Glanford Park as he is with the England squad, with David Mirfin expected to partner Izzy Iriekpen in the centre of defence.
The former Iron loanee Jack Cork also watched an England game from the bench on Friday night, as the U21 side beat Wales 3-2 in Cardiff.
The game was the first leg of a European Championship qualifier for Stuart Pearce's side, who will play the second leg at Villa Park on Tuesday.
Cork spent last season on loan at Glanford Park from the Premier League side Chelsea, and is spending this term with Southampton.
