An injury time goal by Paul McVeigh saved Northern Ireland's blushes in last night's friendly international against Canada at Windsor Park. The 20-year-old Tottenham striker, introduced by manager Lawrie McMenemy as a late substitute, earned the North a draw with his 91st minute strike.

It looked as if Northern Ireland's goal famine was going to continue as they went close to another damaging defeat when the Canadians took a surprise lead in the 67th minute thanks to Millwall's Mark Bircham.

Northern Ireland, with two Irish League players Rory Hamill and Glenn Ferguson pushed into the fray, had plenty of possession but most of it was wasted.

They might have had a goal just before half-time when Adrian Coote raced into the clear only to have his effort blocked.

Northern Ireland: Taylor (Wright 46), Hughes, Horlock, Lomas, Williams, Hunter, McCarthy (Hamill 59), Mulryne (Sonner 82), Dowie (McVeigh 74), Coote (Ferguson 74), Rowland. Subs Not Used: Patterson. Goal: McVeigh 90.

Canada: Forrest, Clarke, Parker, Watson, De Vos, Xausa (Bircham 58), Stalteri (Kusch 65), Dasovic, Peschisolido, Bent, Brennan. Subs Not Used: Fenwick, Jazic, Hastings, Hirschfeld. Booked: Xausa. Goal: Bircham 67.

Referee: M Mccurry (Glasgow).