SAINTS defender Chris Baird has become a part of an unwanted international football record.

The young defender won his fourth Irish cap in last night's Euro 2004 qualifying loss against Armenia - compared to the two starts he has made for Saints.

It was Ireland's 12th successive match without a goal, a new international record for a European country.

They are destined for the wooden spoon in Group Six after Armenia clinched the three points through a goal from substitute Arman Karamyan.

McIlroy tried to remain upbeat after this defeat, which means his side have gone 13 games without a win.

"My resolve is as strong as ever," he said. "There is no danger of that.

"The boys have given me everything but have got to unearth a scorer from somewhere.

"At the moment we are working with what we have got and obviously there are permutations.

"When we do score it will probably be a fluke. Maybe a goal will come off a defender's backside. I would take anything.

"We dominated the game after they scored. I can't believe we haven't taken one of our chances at least.

"At this level you have got to score when those arrive. But what we have seen against Armenia is that we are snatching."