Tomas Bobcek’s stoppage-time goal ended Northern Ireland’s hopes of making it out of World Cup qualifying Group A but they came away from a 1-0 defeat by Slovakia assured of a playoff place regardless. Debutant Bobcek had been on the pitch for onlyseven minutes when he fired in from Laszlo Benes’ corner in the first of eight minutes added on, and the goal stood despite Northern Ireland appeals for a foul after Dan Ballard had gone down in the buildup.