Northern Ireland 1-2 USA: Christian Pulisic and Giovanni Reyna both get on the scoresheet

Ian Baraclough is still searching for his first 90-minute win as Northern Ireland manager after falling to a friendly defeat against a star-studded USA.

The former Scunthorpe and Motherwell boss replaced the much-loved Michael O’Neill in the Windsor Park dugout last summer, having been promoted from his role with the country’s Under-21s.

But Baraclough’s only triumph in 10 games in charge was on penalties in Bosnia in last October’s Euro 2020 play-off semi-final.

Ian Baraclough is still yet to secure he first 90-minute win as manager of Northern Ireland

The hosts fell to a 2-1 friendly defeat to USA ahead of a huge World Cup qualifier midweek

And his first friendly in charge brought a sixth defeat despite sub Niall McGinn’s stunning strike after Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic scored for the States.

Baraclough, a former defender with the likes of QPR and Notts County, always had his work cut out replacing O’Neill, who led Northern Ireland to Euro 2016 – their first major tournament in 30 years.

But he will soon feel the heat if he cannot register a win, with Wednesday’s home World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria already looking like a crucial clash.

Baraclough made 10 changes from the side who lost in Italy on Thursday and they were up against a USA team ranked 22 in the world and boasting a host of players from Europe’s top leagues.

Kyler Lafferty was given the captain’s armband and should have given his side the lead

Kyle Lafferty was captaining a side for the first time in his career and had a golden early chance to end his five-year international goal drought.

But after being played through on goal by George Saville, he dragged his shot well wide – and USA made Northern Ireland pay with their first real attack after half-an-hour.

Tim Ream squared to Gio Reyna and his 22-yard strike took a huge deflection off diving defender Ciaron Brown to float over Conor Hazard, who was making his first start in goal for his country.

Shane Lavery tried to get the hosts back on terms but his effort from the edge of the area was well kept out by USA’s Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen.

The States scored their second after 59 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Pulisic went down under a challenge from Daniel Ballard, who appeared to get a nick on the ball.

Christian Pulisic scored a tame penalty to double his side’s advantage with 59 minutes gone

Pulisic then took the spot-kick and squeezed it past Hazard with a weak strike down the middle.

In-form Accrington Stanley striker Dion Charles came on for his Northern Ireland debut and a strong run and strike forced Steffen to save.

With two minutes to go, sub McGinn gave the hosts some hope with a sweet volley from the right-edge of the box after Lafferty flicked the ball into the Aberdeen forward’s path.

But it was not enough to stop Baraclough’s side from losing again as they now prepare for the visit of the Bulgarians

Niall McGinn (L) score a superb late goal to halve the deficit but there was no late equaliser