BLACKBURN Rovers youngster Tim Payne and Burnley midfielder Cameron Howieson could only watch as their World Cup hopes were virtually ended last night.

Payne and Howieson have both been involved in the New Zealand squad in recent times as the All Whites attempted to qualify for a second successive World Cup.

But Payne is currently ruled out through injury and Howieson did not make the squad this month for New Zealand's decisive World Cup play-off against Mexico.

New Zealand were beaten 5-1 in the first leg last night and now have a huge mountain to climb to overturn that deficit in Wellington on Wednesday.