EURO 2012 QUALIFYING: Healy misses chance to give battling Irish win over Italy

But there was no faulting the spirit which helped give Nigel Worthington's side another point in qualifying Group C.

The energy of Steve Davies, the nous of Aaron Hughes, the tireless running of Warren Feeney and the skill of goalkeeper Maik Taylor were all qualities to admire as the Irish followed up their win away in Slovenia with another result which gives real hope that they could qualify for their first major tournament in 24 years, especially on a night when Estonia defeated Serbia to throw the group wide open.

David Healy might even have snatched a winner but sent a six-yard header wide of the post when he had been found unmarked by Chris Brunt's cross.

Craig Levein's decision to drop Kenny Miller and play a defensive line-up failed to pay off as Scotland suffered the first defeat of their qualifying campaign, 1-0 against Czech Republic in Prague last night. The manager opted for a formation designed to frustrate their hosts and hopefully return home with at least a draw to add to the four points gained against Lithuania and Liechtenstein.

The Scots held out for 69 minutes before Roman Hubnik grabbed the only goal of the game to hand the Czechs their first victory in the section, and Levein's men must now pick themselves up ahead of the visit of Spain next week.

Ivelin Popov struck the only goal as Bulgaria delivered a huge blow to Wales's hopes of qualifying. The Bulgaria striker lashed in a shot off a post after 48 minutes at the Cardiff City Stadium to condemn Brian Flynn to a 1-0 defeat in his first match as caretaker manager.

Welsh woes were compounded in stoppage time when Chris Gunter was sent off for a cynical foul on Dimitar Rangelov and he will be missing in Switzerland next Tuesday.

After two defeats from two games in a group that also includes England, Wales's chances of finishing even second look slender.

Yet for much of the first half Wales, in their first match since the departure of John Toshack as manager, had looked sharp and enterprising and carved out clear-cut chances for Gunter and David Edwards that should have been taken.

Steve Morison also went close soon after Popov had struck but Bulgaria, apparently rejuvenated by new coach Lothar Matthaus after two opening defeats, finished much the stronger.

Republic of Ireland's 100 per cent record in qualifying came to an end with a 3-2 home defeat against Russia, but not before Giovanni Trapattoni's side had mounted a stirring comeback in a game in which they had looked dead and buried.

Robbie Keane hit the bar early on at the Aviva Stadium but for the next hour Russia dominated and deservedly went three up through Alexander Kerzhakov, Alan Dzagoev and Roman Shirokov.

Keane's penalty in the 72nd minute gave the hosts a lifeline and, when Shane Long added a second six minutes later, it seemed the Republic could get something from the game, but Russia held on to join their opponents on six points in Group B.