Northern Ireland snatch draw with late penalty

N Ireland 1 Morocco 1

A late penalty from Rory Patterson spared Northern Ireland goalkeeper Alan Blayney’s blushes in a low-key friendly against Morocco tonight.

Blayney handed the visitors the lead on a wet and windy night at Windsor Park when he miscontrolled a backpass and his clearance rebounded into the net off Arsenal’s Marouane Chamakh.

Blayney then partially redeemed himself by tipping a fierce Adil Hermach drive onto the bar and Patterson stepped up to force a draw after Josh McQuoid was fouled five minutes from time.

After torrential rain earlier in the day, the pitch was heavy but Northern Ireland attempted to make a bright start as Chris Brunt won possession from the kick-off.

The in-form West Brom winger, playing in an advanced role, broke forward and fed John Gorman out wide but the Wolves man’s cross was easily claimed by Nadir Lamyaghri.

Brunt, recently linked with Liverpool after a fine start to the season, was intent on impressing but shot well over when a chance opened up from distance.

Morocco attacked down the flanks and Chakib Benzoukane cut inside from the left to force Tuffey to concede a corner.

Aaron Hughes headed away from the set-piece but Kharja Houssine fired a shot back in which flew over the bar.

Brunt tried his luck from a 40-yard free-kick but again missed the target and Morocco began to show some neat attacking touches.

Houssine had a shot blocked after being fed by Chamakh and Chadli put a good chance over on the rebound.

Northern Ireland survived a scare midway through the first half as Younes Belhanda slipped Youssef Hadji into the box but the Nancy midfielder shot straight at Tuffey.

Brunt showed more good touches as the hosts built a patient attack but was again off target with his shot.

Morocco came forward again with Chadli showing good skill on the left but captain Hughes headed behind.

Northern Ireland made four changes for the start of the second half, with Nigel Worthington bringing off Premier League pair Hughes and Brunt as promised.

Pat McCourt, one of the more influential players, was also forced off with a dead leg and Alan Blayney was given a chance in place of Tuffey.

Michael O’Connor, Josh McQuoid and Rory McArdle were the other players to come on.

O’Connor quickly got in the action as he flashed a free-kick wide but two of the others may have wished they stayed on the bench.

After 55 minutes, McArdle played Blayney into trouble with a back pass which the Linfield keeper failed to control.

He hastily tried to kick away as Chamakh advanced but the Arsenal striker was too quick and his clearance rebounded off the Moroccan and into the net.

Morocco went close to a second moments later as Adil Hermach unleashed a ferocious 40-yard drive but Blayney made some amends for his gaffe his he tipped onto the bar.

The visitors came forward again and Youssef Hadji shot wide from the edge of the area.

The game appeared to be winding down when substitute Josh McQuoid won a penalty from a corner after being pulled down by Rachid Soulaimani. Plymouth’s Rory Patterson held his nerve to score from the penalty spot.

Morocco had a late chance to snatch victory but Youssef El-Arabi shot over after a weaving run.