SAINTS midfielder Steven Davis has helped Northern Ireland to their best start to a European Championship qualifying campaign since 1968.

Davis played the entire game as first half goals from Gareth McAuley and Kyle Lafferty saw Ireland ease to victory over the Faroe Islands and make it two wins from two.

A 2-0 scoreline may not be one to write home about against a side ranked 179th in the world, but the result is a significant one – taking Michael O'Neill's side top of Group F and giving them their best start to a qualifying campaign since 1968.

Both goals came inside 20 minutes and although a mountain of possession did not yield a third, goalkeeper Roy Carroll ensured it would be a blemish-free night at Windsor Park with a superb penalty save from Frodi Benjaminsen.

Ex-Saints defender Chris Baird also completed the 90 minutes for Northern Ireland.

Saints striker Shane Long was a frustrated sub as the Republic of Ireland thrashed Gibraltar 7-0 in a Euro 2016 qualifier.

Robbie Keane completed a hat-trick inside the first 18 minutes, while Long sat on the bench for the duration of the rout.

Saints playmaker Dusan Tadic played the whole game as Serbia earned their first point of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a last-gasp equaliser against Armenia.

Defender Robert Arzumanyan had put Armenia ahead but Marcos Pizzelli saw a late penalty saved before Zoran Tosic hit a 90th-minute leveller for Dick Advocaat's side.

Tadic had gone close to opening the scoring for Serbia as his long-range effort was tipped around the post by Roman Berezovsky.

Saints defender Florin Gardos played almost the whole game as Romania drew 1-1 at home to Hungary in a Euro 2016 qualifier - despite starting as a sub.

Gardos was introduced to the action as early as the fifth minute due to an injury to centre half Dorin Nicolae.

Elsewhere, Saints goalkeeper Artur Boruc, who is currently on loan to Championship club Bournemouth, was an unused sub as Poland shocked World Cup holders Germany by winning their Euro 2016 qualifier 2-0.