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International Friendlies

Mar 24, 2016 at 7.45pm UK

Wales
1-1
N. Ireland Northern Ireland

Church (89')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Cathcart (60')

Late penalty earns Wales a draw

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 24 March 2016

A late penalty from striker Simon Cox rescues Wales a 1-1 draw from their home friendly encounter against Northern Ireland.

An 89th-minute penalty from Simon Church earned Wales a 1-1 draw from their clash against British rivals Northern Ireland in Cardiff this evening.

It appeared for a while that Ireland were on course for their first friendly victory away from home since 2006 thanks to Craig Cathcart's second goal in his last three appearances.

Steven Davis of Northern Ireland and Ashley Williams of Wales in action on March 24, 2016 © Getty Images

However, second-half substitute Church kept his cool from 12 yards to ensure that Wales's early preparations for Euro 2016 did not get off to a negative start.

It was a largely uninspiring opening 45 minutes in South Wales, with both sides finding clear-cut openings hard to come by.

Craig Cathcart of Northern Ireland holds off David Cotterill of Wales during the international friendly match on March 24, 2016 © Getty Images

The hosts looked the more likely to score from a series of dangerous crosses from either flank, but the likes of Sam Vokes and George Williams were unable to apply the finishing touch.

However, there was a little more intensity about the away side's attacking play in the second half and after Kyle Lafferty saw his shot turned away by Danny Ward, the Irish broke the deadlock on the hour mark.

Paddy McNair floated a cross towards the back post and when Wales failed to clear the danger, Cathcart drilled a half-volley into the bottom corner of Ward's net.

Simon Church celebrates scoring a late penalty during the friendly between Wales and Northern Ireland on March 24, 2016 © Getty Images

It seemed as though that would be the winning moment until one minute from time when Gareth McAuley hauled down Church inside the area. The Wales frontman stepped up to take the resultant spot kick, which he fired into the top corner.