Craig Cathcart of Northern Ireland is mobbed after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifying match between Finland and Northern Ireland at the Olympic Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Helsinki, Finland. © Getty Images

Stuart Dallas, who saw an early effort fly over the bar, was gifted a 20th-minute chance by Finland keeper Lukas Hradecky but shot straight at the keeper after taking a touch.

Both Chris Brunt and Chris Baird had goalbound efforts blocked by their own teammates in the opening period, while Tim Sparv volleyed over a rare Finland effort.

Watford defender Craig Cathcart opened the scoring for Michael O'Neill's men, nodding home from Niall McGinn's right-wing cross.

Craig Cathcart of Northern Ireland scores the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifying match between Finland and Northern Ireland at the Olympic Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Helsinki, Finland. © Getty Images

Joel Pohjanpalo almost replied instantly for Finland but Northern Ireland keeper Michael McGovern's fingertip save denied the striker.

It was Pohjanpalo who had an early second-half chance to equalise as he found himself on the end of Robin Lod's cutback but the big forward fired over from close range.

Northern Ireland introduced Josh Magennis for Kyle Lafferty with ten minutes remaining, and a ball meant for the Kilmarnock striker was cut out before Brunt tested Hradecky from range.

The hosts made their pressure count in the dying minutes of normal time as centre-back Paulus Arajuuri tucked a finish beyond McGovern to level the tie.

Stuart Dallas (L) of Northern Ireland and Joel Pohjanpalo (C) and Sakari Mattila (R) of Finland vie for the ball during the Euro 2016 Group F qualifying football match between Finland and Northern Ireland at the Helsingin Olympiastadion in Helsinki on Oct © Getty Images