The result will boost the Poles before they host Group Six favourites England on September 8, although they will be without first-half goalscorer Piotr Wlodarczyk following his 79th-minute dismissal.

For Northern Ireland a miserable run of form in competitive matches continued - they set a European record for the longest goalless run during the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign and have not won at Windsor Park since 2001.

'You don't get to be up in the 20s in the world by being a poor side,' said Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez, referring to Poland's 29th place in the FIFA rankings.

'There were 80 places between the teams competing out there, and the only place it showed was in the quality of the finishing - when they had their chances, they took them.'

Northern Ireland captain Aaron Hughes said his side, who face Wales in Cardiff on Wednesday, had been punished for defensive lapses.

'We sort of gave them goals, as opposed to them scoring them,' said the defender.

'They didn't carve us apart, it was our own doing.'

Each team had created a half chance in the opening exchanges before Poland were gifted their first goal in the fourth minute.

A mix-up between goalkeeper Maik Taylor and Damien Johnson allowed Maciej Zurakski's inswinger to sneak in at the near post direct from a corner.

At the other end Preston forward David Healy went close with a glancing header before carving out an opportunity for Birmingham midfielder Johnson, who should have done better with his shot.

But the visitors always appeared to possess the sharper cutting edge, and in the 37th minute Legia Warsaw striker Wlodarczyk latched on to a hopeful long ball which the home defence had been slow to deal with and coolly shot past Taylor.

As Northern Ireland pressed forward after half time gaps opened at the back and an incisive Polish counterattack in the 57th minute ended with Jacek Krzynowek rifling in a left-footed shot from the edge of the box.

Northern Ireland pushed forward but, apart from a 67th minute Healy free kick they rarely threatened, and by the time Wlodarczyk was sent off for use of the elbow with 11 minutes to go the game was beyond the home team.

Northern Ireland were 'the author of their own misfortune', according to disappointed manager Lawrie Sanchez.

Sanchez said: 'When Poland had their chances they took them. They broke with great vigour and great athleticism.

'To a certain extent we were the author of our own misfortune.

'To concede a goal after three minutes is not what you want whether it is an international or Sunday League.

'Being beaten 3-0 is disappointing for us but I do not think if you look at the overall game it merited that kind of result.

'You cannot legislate for those kind of mistakes. We will talk about that tomorrow when the players re-group.

'We got at them after the first goal then they hit us on the break and scored a second.

'To be fair to the players they kept going. Mistakes can be put right and we will work at it.'

Sanchez added: 'I thought [James] Quinn and [David] Healy did well today.

'We caused them problems and England will cause them more problems.

'With the quality they have got in the front line, half a chance will be a goal.'

Poland manager Pawel Janas was delighted with the victory ahead of the England game.

'I was thrilled with they we played today,' he said.

'The only sour note was the sending-off. The player was silly to get involved.

'It was a promising show but we know England will be tough opponents.

'They play very good football and this game today gives us a taste of what to expect.

'We hope to finish second at least in the group. Apart from England, the teams are evenly matched.'

Source: soccernet.com