Patterson penalty hero
A late penalty from Rory Patterson spared Northern Ireland goalkeeper Alan Blayney's blushes in a low-key friendly against Morocco tonight.
• Worthington heartened by draw
Substitute 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.
The equaliser will give manager Nigel Worthington reason for optimism after what seemed like being a dismal night.
The value of the exercise had been brought into question after 12 players withdrew from the initial squad named last week for a variety of reasons.
Worthington was forced to make eight changes from the side which laboured to a draw in the Faroe Islands last month.
In-form West Brom winger Chris Brunt, playing in an advanced role, had the best of the early opportunities but failed to test the goalkeeper before being withdrawn at half-time.
Preston midfielder Adam Barton, who is also eligible for England, was handed a debut from the start by Worthington in the hope he could be persuaded to pledge his allegiance full-time.
Inverness' Jonny Tuffey was the initial pick in goal in the absence of veteran Maik Taylor and his status as second choice was only enhanced by what followed just 10 minutes after he left the action.
After torrential rain throughout the day, the pitch was heavy but Brunt attempted to make a bright start as he won possession from the kick-off.
Brunt 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 Worthington bringing off Premier League pair Hughes and Brunt as expected.
Pat McCourt, one of the more influential players, was also forced off with a dead leg and Linfield's Blayney was also introduced.
Michael O'Connor, 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.
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 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 Bournemouth forward McQuoid won a penalty from a corner after being pulled down by Rachid Soulaimani.
Plymouth's 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.
Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington felt his inexperienced team passed a
big test against Morocco.
Worthington said: ''To step up to senior international football is a big step. The overall attitude and mind, staying in control of the performance, not being too nervous, was very pleasing.
''They have been challenged and they have come through the challenge. Some people question these situations but, from my point of view, they are always worthwhile.
''You learn about people when you are working with them. Morocco had a lot of the ball but we kept our shape, the young ones took the information from the last couple of days on board.
''At the end of the day we have not been beaten in the game, which is a huge
plus. Some of the young ones have come through with good steady performances.''
The hosts had been heading for defeat against the technically proficient
visitors after Arsenal's Marouane Chamkh pounced on hesitancy by substitute
goalkeeper Alan Blayney to charge down a clearance and score.
The Linfield keeper - on the day his partner gave birth - had been on the field
just 10 minutes when he committed his gaffe but he partially redeemed himself by
tipping a ferocious Adil Hermach drive onto the bar.
Northern Ireland drew level after substitute Josh McQuoid was wrestled to the
ground at a corner and Plymouth forward Patterson kept a cool head from the
spot.
Worthington said: ''I was disappointed for Alan but it has been a terrific day
for him and we have come out of the game unbeaten. He's fine and I have given him every encouragement.
''It is one of those you learn from. You cannot take a split second to delay. He has been terrific all the way through and these things happen. I was just delighted when we went the goal down the rest of the players kept their nerve and we didn't panic.
''At 1-0 there were still plusses but for all the hard work over the last
couple of days, to take something away is a huge plus.''
Morocco manager Eric Gerets, who had been taking charge of his team for the
first time, was pleased with the visitors' performance and felt they deserved
better.
The former Belgium defender said: ''I saw a lot of good things. If one team deserved to win it would have been us but sometimes you need a bit of luck. It was a cheap penalty - you could have five penalties like that every game.''