Stirling midfielder David Micevski converted a penalty in the 56th minute to cancel out teammate Andy Brown’s own-goal nine minutes earlier for the scores to finish at 1-1.
The match honoured young Tombides, who died from testicular cancer last month at the age of 20.
Tombides represented both clubs at junior level before heading to West Ham in England and representing the Socceroos at youth level.
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READ NOWFittingly, a match of few highlights ensured the main one was the crowd rising to its feet in the 38th minute to celebrate the life of Tombides with a minute of applause.
The 38th minute was significant because it was the number Tombides wore at West Ham.
Stirling had the better of the chances in the first half and should have scored when Daniel Micevski blasted wide from close range on the half-hour mark.
Perth keeper Alex Dunn was then forced into an excellent save from Jack Salter’s effort five minutes later.
Aden da Luz constructed Perth’s only chance of the first half, but Friday Zico’s header could not find the target.
Zico then set up Perth’s goal early in the second half with a strong run down the left side before his cross was turned in by Stirling defender Brown.
Micevski equalised from the spot after Perth’s new signing, former Socceroos defender Adrian Madaschi, was judged to have fouled Stirling’s Howard Neighbour in the box.
Substitute Nick Ambrogio should have won the game for Perth in the 74th minute, but he spurned the opportunity with an open goal beckoning after a cross from Zico.
Perth and Stirling will now battle for the Dylan Tombides Trophy each year in the National Premier League on a home and away basis.
The next meeting between the sides on August 9 will determine the winner of the trophy for 2014.
Sunday’s draw sees Perth slip to third place on the NPL ladder, with a visit to bottom-placed Subiaco this Saturday at the WA Athletics Stadium.
The Under-18s kept their perfect season intact with a 5-3 win over Stirling, but the Under-20s dropped their first points of the season, losing 1-0 to the Lions.