Slovenia moved into second spot as Czech Republic boosted their hopes of claiming a play-off place.
Slovakia and Slovenia claim vital wins as Baros hits four
Slovenia moved into second spot in Group Three as Northern Ireland's hopes of automatic qualification for the 2010 World Cup were ended by Slovakia.
Czech Republic, meanwhile, boosted their prospects of claiming a play-off berth after comfortably seeing off the group whipping boys San Marino.
The race to claim the runners-up berth in the group remains wide open after
Slovenia enjoyed a convincing 3-0 home win over
Poland.
The hosts were in front after 13 minutes when Miso Brecko did some good work down the right and Zlatko Dedic was on hand to shoot home right-footed from his cross for his second international goal.
Just before half-time Dedic laid on Slovenia's second as he picked out Andraz Kirm and he crossed from the right-hand side of the penalty area to the unmarked Milivoje Novakovic, who made no mistake.
The game was all over after 62 minutes when Novakovic and Kirm combined well before the ball reached Valter Birsa on the left wing and he was able to advance on goal and put the ball beyond Poland goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
Northern Ireland have played a game more than their rivals and can no longer qualify directly for the finals in South Africa after losing 2-0 at home to leaders
Slovakia.
Stanislav Sestak scored after 15 minutes and substitute Filip Holosko netted on 66 minutes to leave Slovakia on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup.
Czech Republic maintained their hopes of claiming a play-off place with a 7-0 thrashing of
San Marino as Tomas Rosicky marked his return to competitive action.
The Czechs have endured an inconsistent campaign in Group Three and the emphatic victory over San Marino was just their third in eight matches.
Former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Milan Baros was the tormentor-in-chief with a first-half hat-trick, including netting twice in as many minutes just before half-time.
Vaclav Sverkos made it 4-0 immediately after half-time before Arsenal midfielder Rosicky, making his first senior appearance since January 2008, was substituted just past the hour mark.
Baros further increased the Czechs' lead with his fourth goal of the game before San Marino were reduced to 10 men when Simone Bacciocchi was sent off for a second bookable offence on 81 minutes.
Tomas Necid scored the hosts' sixth goal on 86 minutes and Sverkos completed the rout in the fifth minute of injury-time, moments after he had seen a penalty saved.
