Trinidad & Tobago were indebted to youngster Chris Birchall for salvaging a draw from their World Cup play-off first-leg against Bahrain.

Bahrain looked set to take a slender advantage back home with them for Wednesday's return leg in Manama after substitute Husein Salman put them ahead in the 72nd minute.

But the home side, known as the 'Soca Warriors', were quick to hit back and Birchall's long-distance goal five minutes later tied the match up.

Birchall - the country's first white player in 60 years - had been a doubt before the match with a niggling injury but he was passed fit and his goal could prove crucial as Trinidad try to reach the World Cup finals for the first time in their history.

Birchall was born and raised in Stafford, England, but qualifies to play for Leo Beenhakker's side by virtue of his mother being born in Trinidad.

The 21-year-old Port Vale winger made his debut for Trinidad in May against Peruvian club side Alianza Lima, which incidentally was also the first time he had ever travelled to the country.