Canada and Jamaica were both in danger of an early exit from the 2006 Football World Cup qualifiers on Saturday after the Canucks were held 1-1 by Honduras and the Reggae Boyz were stunned 2-1 by unsung Panama.
Both teams have only one point from two home outings in their respective groups after conceding late goals.
Meanwhile, the United States are well-placed to reach the final stage of the CONCACAF zone competition after winning a stormy match against ten-man El Salvador, who had Denis Alas sent off apparently because of a piece of jewellery.
Canada, beaten 2-0 at home to Guatemala in their opening second stage Group B game, looked to have bagged three points when Ipswich Town defender Jason deVos headed them in front after 82 minutes in Edmonton.
However, Honduras salvaged a draw with an 88th minute Amado Guevara penalty to top the group on four points, while Guatemala (3) and Costa Rica (0) meet in Guatemala City on Sunday.
Panama's well-travelled 37-year-old striker Julio Dely Valdes, whose former clubs include Malaga, Paris St Germain and Uruguay's Nacional, scored in the second-minute of injury time to sink the Reggae Boyz in Kingston.
The 24,500 crowd at the National Stadium known as The Office were stunned when Roberto Brown, whose parents are Jamaican, headed Panama in front two minutes into the Group A game.
Despite having defender Ian Goodison sent off in the 33rd minute, Jamaica dominated and Damani Ralph equalised after a neat exchange of passes in the 77th minute.
Jamaica had hired Brazilian coach Sebastian Lazaroni hoping he could emulate his countryman Rene Simoes, who led them to the 1998 World Cup.
LAZARONI DOUBTS
Instead, Lazaroni -- who took Brazil to the 1990 World Cup -- was left answering questions about his future.
"I intend to continue with this team," he said.
"We made a few mistakes and we paid. Although we created many opportunities to score, we did not do enough and the result is very bad, but that is football."
Panama went second, one point behind the United States and level with El Salvador.
Brian Ching scored for the second match running while Landon Donovan added the other goal after halftime as the U.S. gave coach Bruce Arena the 50th win of his reign in a stormy match in Foxboro.
The visitors were down to ten men after 26 minute when Alas, who had already been booked, was sent off, apparently picking up his second yellow because he was wearing jewellery.
El Salvador coach Juan Paredes was dismissed for arguing shortly afterwards and a full-scale brawl twice threatened to blow up.
Trinidad & Tobago have maximum points from two games in Group C after beating St Kitts and Nevis 2-1 away with an 89th minute goal from Birmingham City's Stern John.
George Isaac gave St Kitts a shock lead in the 40th minute before Errol McFarlane equalised on the stroke of halftime.
Trinidad are the only team in the group with any points.
Mexico have yet to play after their match with St Vincent & Grenadines in Pachuca was postponed because Hurricane Frances prevented the Caribbean islanders from travelling.
