DION Charles gave Northern Ireland boss Ian Barraclough a timely nudge as he helped rescue a draw against Cyprus at Windsor Park.

The Wanderers striker has played just 55 minutes in four Nations League games, during which the team has failed to pick up a victory.

In a lively second-half cameo on Sunday he helped turn the game in Northern Ireland’s favour, flicking on an injury time equaliser for Jonny Evans to head home.

Despite the turnaround, some fans showed their displeasure at the result, which leaves Barraclough’s side without a win in 14 games in the competition.

Andronikos Kakoullis had put the Cypriots two up either side of the interval before Middlesbrough’s Paddy McNair bundled in from close range to halve the deficit.

The point does not ease building pressure on manager Barraclough, who has won just three of 20 games since he took over from Michael O’Neill in June 2020.

Charles has spoken about the debt he owes to his national boss for keeping him in the loop during a spell on the side-lines at his previous club Accrington Stanley – but with Kyle Lafferty struggling to find goals, there are growing calls for the Wanderers man to get his chance.

Barraclough remains adamant that results will turn for the better.

“It was a section (of fans) and I don’t think it was a majority,” he told BBC Sport. “I think most people would know what we are trying, where we are going and the building blocks we are trying to put in place.

“I have thick skin. We knew we were going to go through some mucky periods as well and, for me, there is concentration on working with the younger players, working with the group and making sure that come September and the Euros next year we’re in a position to go and win games like that.

“I was tasked with something when I took over from Michael, to bring younger players through, so whether they develop immediately, or rather more realistically I think they take time.

“People can boo all they like. I am not going unless I am told.

“It is for someone else to make that decision.

“I am proud of what the players have produced – players that did not know each other – and I will sit back and look at it in the cold light of day and see there were some real shining lights over the four games.

“I know there are some sensationalists who want change at the drop of a hat.

“They booed Gareth Southgate even though there was no crowd there.

“I think it’s today’s society. You are frustrated you don’t get a win so you boo.”