N. Ireland 1 - 1 Morocco: Nigel Worthington praises young stars for draw

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington felt his inexperienced team passed a big test against Morocco.

Worthington's side claimed a draw at wet and windy Windsor Park after Rory Patterson struck a late penalty.

Worthington had been forced to make eight changes for the friendly after being hit by a host of withdrawals.

Only four of the starting line-up had made more than 10 international appearances and three new caps were handed out over the course of the 90 minutes.

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. 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."

The hosts had been heading for defeat after Arsenal's Marouane Chamkh pounced on hesitancy by substitute goalkeeper Alan Blayney to charge down a clearance and score.

Northern Ireland drew level after substitute Josh McQuoid was wrestled to the ground at a corner and Plymouth forward Patterson scored from the spot.

N Ireland: Tuffey (Blayney 45), Hodson, McGivern (Coates 62), Hughes (McArdle 45), Evans, Barton, Gorman, McGinn (Magennis 69), McCourt (O'Connor 45), Brunt (McQuoid 47), Patterson.

Morocco: Lamyaghri, Soulaimani, El Kaddouri, Kantari, Mehdi Benatia (Mohamed Barrabeh 78), hermach (El Ahmadi 89), Belhanda (Benzoukane 75), Kharja, Hadji (El Zhar 80), Chadli, Chamakh (El Arabi 71. Subs not used: Mohamdina, AIny.