
Conor Washington was working as a postman and playing non-league football for St Ives Town when the last European Championships were held four years ago, but the QPR striker cemented his place in Northern Ireland’s squad for Euro 2016 by scoring on his first appearance at Windsor Park on Monday night.

Although the 23-year-old striker was born in England to a Scottish mother, he qualifies for his adopted country through his grandmother. And Washington justified Michael O’Neill’s faith in calling him up to the Northern Ireland squad by following up a promising first cap against Wales last week with an even better home debut.

He showed power and determination to leave Slovenia defenders Miral Samardzic and Nejc Skubic flat on their backs in the 41st minute before turning inside Bostjan Cesar and drilling the ball emphatically past goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Queens Park Rangers striker Conor Washington fired Northern Ireland ahead against Slovenia on Monday night in Belfast

Washington points the way in celebration after giving Northern Ireland the lead at Windsor Park as they gear up for Euro 2016 this summer

Washington beams with delight as he is congratulated by Manchester United defender Paddy McNair (left) and West Brom's Jonny Evans

Northern Ireland keeper Roy Carroll dives down low to his right to deny Milivoje Novakovic's second half penalty to keep his side ahead

MATCH FACTS N IRELAND (3-1-4-2): Carroll 7; Cathcart 6.5, McAuley 6.5 (Hughes 46, 6), Evans 6; McNair 6.5 (McGinn, 6); Smith 6.5 (McLaughlin 71, 6), Davis 7, Norwood 6.5, Ferguson 7.5 (Dallas 60, 6.5); Washington 8 (Magennis 70, 6), Ward 6.5 (K Lafferty 60, 6.5). Subs: McGovern, D Lafferty, McCullough, McKay, Hodson, Paton. Subs not used: Lafferty, McCullough, McKay, McGovern, Hodson, Paton. Scorer: Washington 41 Booked: Ward, Washington, Evans SLOVENIA (4-3-3): Oblak; Skubic (Stojanovic 60), Samardzic, Cesar, Jokic; Kurtic (Vrhovec 46), Krhin, Verbic (Kirm 60); Ilicic (Novakovic 46), Birsa, Bezjak (Crnic 75). Subs: Belec, Vidmar,, Struna. Subs not used: Belec, Vidmar, Stuna, Vrhovec Booked: Oblak, Vrho. Referee: Kristo Tohver Advertisement

‘It’s been a bit of a fairy tale four years, definitely the last six to eight months,’ said Washington, who joined QPR from Peterborough for £2.8million in the January transfer window.

‘The boys made it so easy for me to come in. There are no egos here and that’s why they’ve been so successful. I’ve really enjoyed my week. We’re looking forward to taking this form into the next few games and into the tournament.’

Although he now looks a certainty to be on the plane to France, Washington refused to take his place for granted, adding: ‘No, I don’t want to think about it like that. I was pleased to get another start and a goal tonight, but I’ve just got to keep working hard towards the end of the season with QPR and see where it takes us.’

Victory meant that O’Neill’s side set a new unbeaten record of 10 games for Northern Ireland, breaking the nine-match mark reached twice by Billy Bingham’s teams in the 1980s.

But O’Neill will be more interested in the future than the past, and Washington gives him options as an attacking partner – or alternative – to talisman Kyle Lafferty in France depending on which formation he settles on.

Washington also created Northern Ireland’s other best chance of the first half, bamboozling Samardzic with a dummy to go through on goal but he just failed to nutmeg Oblak from a tight angle.

Slovenia, who finished third in England’s qualifying group, carried a threat of their own and Roman Bezjak fired into the side-netting before Josip Ilicic tested Roy Carroll with a curling effort from 25 yards.

And they had a great chance to equalise midway through the second half when Jonny Evans was penalised for impeding Samardzic at a corner, but Carroll went the right way to keep out substitute Milivoije Novakovic’s effort from the spot.

O’Neill said: ‘For a country of our size to go 10 games unbeaten is a significant moment for this squad. There are players that have gone 10 games without a win, the opposite side of that, and played in bad times. We’re in this moment, we want it to last as long as we can to keep it there.

‘It’s nice for me because Billy Bingham was the manager who gave me my debut at 18 years of age. He believed in me at a young age, and I’ve tried to take into management in terms of giving players opportunities.

Northern Ireland midfielder Oliver Norwood, who plays his club football for Reading, closes down Slovenia midfielder Josip Ilicic

Nottingham Forest frontman Jamie Ward is beaten to the ball in the air by Slovenia's Rene Krhin during Monday evening's warm-up clash

Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis moves forward but without the ball after being dispossessed by Slovenia left back Bojan Jokic

Conor Washington fired Northern Ireland ahead just before half-time - CLICK HERE for more from our brilliant Match Zone service

The guys set a new record of 10 consecutive matches without defeat 🔥#DareToDream #GAWA #NIRvSVN — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) March 28, 2016

‘We’ve played better but the appetite to make sure we won the game, from the penalty save to how we defended second half, was great. It’s very encouraging.

‘When we go to France, we won’t be the most talented team in the finals but our job is to have them the best organised. I think you’ll go a long way to find a team with as big a heart.

On Washington’s performance, he added: ‘You see what Conor Washington is about – that rawness, that power, that pace. Sometimes you don’t get that from players who are in a development system from a very young age. He has those attributes, which are refreshing to see as a coach. He loves to get into that tussle with a centre-back, the physical side of the game. He’s so hungry to learn and keen to do well. It’s great.

‘For a player whose just come into the squad, the reaction from the other members in the team to see him scoring shows how well he’s fitting in.’

O’Neill’s side now have two more build-up games – at home to Belarus and away to Slovakia – before heading for the Euros.

McNair climbs high but fails to get a proper head on the ball as team-mate and fellow defender Gareth McAuley watches on

Goalscorer Washington uses his strength to fend off the challenge of Slovenia's Miral Samardzic as he looks to race forward with the ball