Chris Coleman was without a number of big players, including Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, but Liverpool midfielder Allen says that there is still work to do nonetheless.
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Wales were without their star duo of Bale and Ramsey plus Ben Davies and Hal Robson-Kanu who were among eight players out injured.
Gareth McAuley’s clumsy challenge on the Wales substitute left Steven McLean, the Scottish referee, with no option but to point to the spot and Church confidently converted.
There is Premier League experience, too, in Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland squad, but no-one with the cachet of a Ramsey or Bale.
MK Dons forward Church, on loan at Aberdeen, got up to confidently convert it at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Speaking about the upcoming European Championships, Davis was sure that “we’ll have the same support we always do”, adding that “it’s going to be a proud time for everyone”. “Then I’ll know what I’ve got to play with”. I was pleased for the guys.
At least Coleman and his players got a taste of the support which will follow them to France as on a rain-sodden night as their fans boomed out the National Anthem as they watched their heroes search for an equaliser. Northern Ireland have not exactly been prolific themselves when it comes to scoring in worldwide friendlies away from home.
Joe Ledley had a sight of goal but inadvisedly chose to pass rather than shoot.
Welsh winger David Cotterill tested Michael McGovern in the away goal in the 20minute with a right-foot free-kick.
George Williams also had a curling shot blocked by Cathcart, with Sam Vokes failing to get a header on target from the resulting corner. A short corner allowed McNair to float over a cross and, with Wales dithering inside its own area, Cathcart took the chance to swivel on a loose ball and fire Northern Ireland into an unlikely lead.
Wales kept seven clean sheets (from 10 matches) in Euro 2016 qualification, while no team that qualified for the tournament scored fewer goals per game in doing so. Wales failed to clear and Cathcart reacted quickest to the loose ball by driving through a crowded box for his second worldwide goal.
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Speaking after the team’s training session this morning, Keane said: “Listen, we’re working with the senior team and we treat them like men, like adults, and if there are opportunities for the players to see families, I think that will be open to the players – as long as it’s not silly and two or three days before the game”.
