Harry Howell enjoyed game time as Albion under-21s opened their Premier League International Cup campaign.
The midfielder had been troubled by a back issue recently, which ruled him out of the England squad at the Under-17s World Cup.
He went on as substitute for the final half-hour as Albion were held to a 1-1 draw by Benfica at Lancing.
Nehemiah Oriola, who made his Premier League debut recently, put the hosts ahead in the first half with a penalty after Callum Mackley had been fouled.
Mackley, who skippered a particularly young side at Eastbourne Town on Tuesday, started again three nights later but only played the first half.
Benfica have a strong reputation for producing and developing young talent and levelled on 78 minutes though Kevin Pinto.
They might have gone on to take the three points in the first group game.
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Charlie Tasker, who had replaced Mackley, blocked a Joao Goncalves shot and Steven Hall tipped over from Ivan Lima.
Howell’s next action could come on Tuesday when Albion go to Woking for a National League Cup game which will help decide who progresses to the knockout phase.
Albion have won at Sutton and Aldershot but defeat at group leaders Truro means they need victory at Woking to overhaul their hosts and stand any chance of finishing in the top two.
West Ham under-21s, who make the long trek to Truro on Tuesday, are also in the running.
Albion under-21s: Hall, Mackley (Tasker 46), Barclay, Atom, Penman (Howell 62), Keogh, Middleton, Knight (Owusu 77), Oriola (West 77), Ibrahim, Brett (Belmont 83).
