Slovakia 1 Republic of Ireland 1: Republic spurn chance to top group as Keane misses penalty

After Sean St Ledger's opener had been cancelled out by Jan Durica in the 36th minute, the Republic were handed a glorious chance to retake the lead in first-half stoppage time when Aiden McGeady was felled by Jan Mucha.

But the goalkeeper made up for his error with a fine save, and, as Slovakia dominated the second half, the Republic were left hanging on for a point which keeps them level with their opponents in Group B.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni made two enforced changes from the side that lost 3-2 to Russia on Friday, with injury victims Kevin Doyle and Liam Lawrence replaced by Shane Long and Keith Fahey.

Ireland dominated possession in the early stages and, after a couple of scares when Kornel Salata headed over and Juraj Kucka shot wide, took a deserved lead in the 16th minute.

Durica fouled Long wide on the right and, when the Slovakia defence failed to deal with Fahey's free-kick, St Ledger squeezed a shot inside the post.

Ireland, though, were lucky to escape when McGeady's mistake allowed Radoslav Zabavnik to drill in a cross that Eric Jendrisek just failed to convert.

Then, in the 36th minute, from the first corner of the game,

Slovakia equalised as Hamsik's cross was flicked on for Durica to power a header in off the crossbar.

With the half entering stoppage time, the Republic were presented with an opportunity to move back ahead when Mucha was adjudged to have brought down McGeady as he ran onto a through-ball from Richard Dunne. Keane stepped up but his penalty was too close to the goalkeeper.

Slovakia: Mucha, Zabavnik, Salata, Durica, Hubocan, Kucka, Karhan, Hamsik, Weiss (Holosko 69), Jendrisek (Oravec 83), Sestak (Stoch 70). Unused substitutes: Pernis, Pekarik, Pecalka, Sebo.

Republic of Ireland: Given, O'Shea, Dunne, St. Ledger, Kilbane, Fahey (Keogh 71), Green (Gibson 41), Whelan, McGeady, Keane, Long. Unused substitutes: Murphy, McShane, Wilson, Foley, Cunningham.

Referee: A Undiano Mallenco (Spain).