It may have been David Healy's night at Windsor Park but his young strike partner Lafferty stole the show.

French legend Michel Platini, now president of UEFA, handed Healy a special award before the game, in honour of his record-breaking 13 goals during Euro 2008 qualifying.

But when the action got under way, Burnley striker Lafferty, 20, showed that Northern Ireland are far from a one-man team with two first-half goals that helped to end the match as a contest.

Worthington said afterwards: "I'm not going to give him too much of a boost because he's a young lad, he's still got a lot to learn and he's got a lot to do.

"But I'm delighted with his performance. He had a knock prior to the game but we got him out there, although it started to tighten before half-time so we brought him off.

"I'm delighted for him that he got two goals for all his hard work and showed potentially what a good player he could be as long as he keeps his head down and he keeps working."

Lafferty's brace, which sandwiched Healy's deflected 20-yard effort, meant Northern Ireland were 3-0 ahead at the break.

Healy then turned the ball into his own net attempting to tackle Levan Tskitishvili after Maik Taylor's penalty save before substitute Peter Thompson bundled home a late fourth.

But even the embarrassment of an own goal could not take the gloss off a proud night for Healy, who now has 34 international strikes.

"It was great for me to receive the award from Michel Platini tonight, so I'm chuffed," Healy told BBC Northern Ireland.

"It was a terrific honour to meet him tonight, such a great player, such a well-respected man. For him to take the time to come over and take the time to give me the award - I'm very honoured."

Healy has enjoyed little first-team action this season with Premier League strugglers Fulham and has been linked with a loan move to Ipswich - who are managed by countryman Jim Magilton.

Although playing a straight bat to suggestions of a switch to Portman Road, Healy suggested he might be open to offers.

"Nobody's ever happy about not playing first-team football. Jim's a terrific manager, he's done a terrific job, Ipswich are a terrific club and I'm sure he'll keep doing a terrific job.

"We'll have to wait and see."

Healy and Lafferty showed once again what a promising strikeforce they have become for their country, but Worthington refused to guarantee them starting berths when the World Cup qualifiers get under way in September.

"As a manager you keep all options open because you don't know when there will be a lack of confidence or an injury, so it would be wrong of me to say that's my preferred two.

"There's other strikers in there and if there's horses for courses, so be it."

Another outstanding performance on Wednesday night came from 33-year-old winger Keith Gillespie, who recently reiterated his desire to keep playing international football.

Worthington admitted there will always be a place for the veteran in his squad if he keeps playing to the same standard.

"Tonight's performance is a benchmark for Keith. We know what he can do but that performance, attacking-wise and working back for the team defensively, was first class.

"I'm delighted he's got man of the match, he's a great advert for younger players on how to perform."