Archie Thompson joined John Kosmina and Attila Abonyi in equal third on the all-time Socceroos scorers' list with his 25th international goal against the group leaders in a largely unconvincing performance in Hong Kong from Holger Osieck's side.

Yong-Hak An found a deserved equalised on 64 minutes when he hooked home a crisp volley after Australia failed to deal with a set piece.

Holger Osieck stuck with the same old experienced line-up for the vital North Korea match that had struggled against Hong Kong two days ago, with one exception.

Central Coast Mariners keeper Mat Ryan was brought in to replace Eugene Galekovic in goals while elsewhere Osieck stuck to the identical cautious 4-2-3-1 defensive line up he fielded 48 hours earlier.

Wily veteran Thompson repaid his coach's faith with a goal after just four minutes to claim an early lead against North Korea who went into the game on the back of an 11-goal scoring spree earlier this week.

Thompson had earned a corner when his header was parried behind and reacted quickest to prod home the rebound from close range after team-mate Mark Milligan clattered his header from the resulting corner against the post.

But despite the early Australian pressure, the conservative squad selection - which saw converted centrebacks Michael Thwaite and Mark Milligan both playing as defensive midfielders - allowed the North Koreans to press the Socceroos.

After Thompson stunned Yun Jong-Su's side it was all North Korea for the better part of half an hour, with Park Nam-Chol finding the grateful arms of Ryan from a header at the back post.

The Socceroos shot-stopper was again well positioned to deal with Jong Il-Gwan's strike after another teasing cross, while at the other end Osieck's side were reduced to hopeful long balls and little fluid possession in the final third.

North Korea continued to probe but wasted a free kick in a dangerous position and were nearly caught in possession on the halfway line after being forced back.

Brett Emerton, Australia's goal-scorer against Hong Kong, picked out Thompson, whose acrobatic header could only find the side netting on 30 minutes.

Ryan was almost left red faced moments later as he finger-tipped a cross-cum-shot just over the bar.

In the second half, the Australians were under the cosh, with most of the starting XI having played a full 90 minutes just two days earlier.

Meanwhile the Koreans made their first substitution after just 23 minutes who was himself replaced at half-time. That sub was also then later bizarrely replaced after 78 minutes.

After the break but it was Nam-Chol who went closest to scoring for North Korea, with Ryan getting down smartly to deny him in the 53rd minute.

Wearing protective head gear due to a fractured jaw, McKay went through on goal moments later but the angle was too acute to force his shot on target.

As the hour mark came and went with no changes from the Australians, the Koreans capitalised on their building pressure and managed to sneak home an equaliser from a goalmouth scramble.

North Korea finally broke through from a set piece on 64 minutes and it was no less than they deserved after some enterprising play.

Captain Ri Kwang-Chon first saw his shot deflected but Yong-Hak was on hand in a crowded box to turn his volley into the net from close range.

Australia really only looked to take the game to North Korea

Osieck finally looked to his bench and immediately exchanged Richard Garcia for Tom Rogic in a like for like swap and Rogic again looked dangerous in attack as he had against Hong Kong.

With 12 minutes left, Archie Thompson made way for Adam Taggart who had a chance to win the match when Rogic turned in a beautiful drive, but a bruising tackle denied Taggart possession.

A defender lashed the ball clear to skipper Brett Emerton who skied it over the bar and despite Taggart's legs being swept from under him, the referee was having none of the penalty appeals.

As full-time approached and despite Australia still having one substittution available to them, there was no action for fan favourites Aaaron Mooy or Eli Babalj.

They remained on the bench despite both Milligan and a visibly tiring Thwaite sitting on a yellow card each and a win being vital.

Only the group winner will qualify for the East Asian Cup itself and North Korea went into this game in the driving seat with a massive +10 goal difference after beating Guam 5-0 and Taipei 6-1.

With only Hong Kong left to play, the North Koreans were happy to run down the clock and settle for the 1-1 draw.

The Socceroos must now find plenty of lethal finishing in front of goal in their two remaining games and hope Hong Kong confound North Korea to have any hope of Australia topping the table.

The winner of the qualifying round advances to the final tournament to face China, South Korea and Japan later in the year.