Healy now has 27 goals in 55 appearances for the province after his treble with Grant McCann rounding off the win after Franz Burgmeier had pulled one back.

Yet they had a few scary moments in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Liechtenstein.

The home side, now coached by Hans-Peter Zaugg, carved out a decent move in the seventh minute when Mario Frick and Burgmeier linked up.

However, Burgmeier scuffed his shot into the arms of goalkeeper Maik Taylor.

Keith Gillespie, winning his 75th cap, almost opened the scoring after being released by Healy.

Gillespie delivered a delicate chip from inside the area that Peter Jehle did well to claw to safety.

Liechtenstein then launched a quick counter attack that took Northern Ireland by surprise.

Raphael Rohrer delivered a shot that Stephen Craigan deflected to safety.

However, Northern Ireland were struggling to get going and Kyle Lafferty dragged a shot across the face of the goal in the 43rd minute.

Liechtenstein hit back and Burgmeier headed over from close range on the stroke of half-time after a cross from Frick.

Healy made the breakthrough in the 52nd minute.

He slid the ball into the corner from the edge of the area after Jehle had cleared Lafferty's effort with his feet.

There was a moment of danger for Northern Ireland in the 64th minute when Frick got in behind Craigan and stung Taylor's fingers from close range.

Healy continued his remarkable scoring record in the 74th minute to put Northern Ireland 2-0 ahead with a cool finish after a pass from Gillespie.

Healy then whipped in a shot from an acute angle that Jehle parried to safety before completing his hat-trick in the 82nd minute, showing great composure.

Burgmeier netted in stoppage time but substitute McCann had the final word, heading home a Gillespie cross.