David Healy continued his remarkable scoring record leaving Northern Ireland daring to dream of qualification for Euro 2008 as they defeated Latvia 1-0 at Windsor Park.
The Leeds United striker made it 24 goals in 54 international appearances with a glorious winner at Windsor Park.
It means the province now have a healthy total of seven points from four group F games, putting them in with a shout of qualifying for a major tournament for the first time in 20 years.
Next up are the minnows of Liechtenstein in March - which represents a great opportunity to put another three points in the bank.
Manager Lawrie Sanchez made one change to the side which took a point off Denmark with Damien Johnson replacing Michael Duff, who sat out the game through suspension.
Birmingham City midfielder Johnson created a good chance in the 10th minute sending the ball in from the left only for Maris Smirnovs to clear it to safety.
Northern Ireland made a decent start and Kyle Lafferty tried his luck from an acute angle in the 16th minute but failed to test Latvia goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko.
Lafferty was coming more into the game and three minutes later he found space 20 yards out.
However, he opted to try to release Healy instead of going for goal and he had strayed offside.
Latvia looked content to play on the counter-attack and goalkeeper Maik Taylor was tested for the first time in the 24th minute when he saved comfortably from Girts Karlsons.
Northern Ireland stepped up the pressure and Steve Davis picked out Lafferty but his effort was weak.
Jonny Evans then sent a long diagonal ball into the path of Keith Gillespie.
The Sheffield United winger raced to the byline in the 30th minute, only for his cross to find the arms of Kolinko.
Healy almost made the breakthrough two minutes later when his header was deflected to safety following good work by Gillespie and Clingan.
But the 28-year-old Leeds striker was rewarded in the 35th minute when he made the game's decisive breakthrough.
Gillespie started the move and Healy calmly lifted the ball over Smirnovs before slipping it past Kolinko, who had come out to narrow the angle.
It was another goal of quality from the little forward and came on the back of his hat-trick at the same venue against Spain.
Northern Ireland could have doubled their advantage a minute later - but Lafferty dragged his shot wide of the target.
Kolinko looked uncomfortable in the 47th minute when Healy swung in a cross from the right, which he only collected at the last minute.
A minute later Lafferty was booked for a challenge on Denniss Kacanovs.
Northern Ireland were keen to extend their lead and Healy in particular was causing Latvia problems with his pace and movement.
He almost got a second goal on the hour when he whipped in a shot which Kolinko deflected with his knees.
Northern Ireland enjoyed a good spell of pressure, with full-back Chris Baird giving Healy plenty of support.
And Aston Villa midfielder Steven Davis was pulling the strings in midfield as Latvia struggled to get their act together.
Davis found the net in the 65th minute - but his effort was ruled out as Lafferty had moved into an offside position.
Birmingham City goalkeeper Maik Taylor came to the rescue in the 72nd minute, bravely saving from Karlsons.
Clingan then made space 20 yards out in the 81st minute - but he scuffed his shot wide with Gillespie also off target.
James Quinn won his 50th cap when he replaced Lafferty with two minutes to go as Northern Ireland saw the game out.
