Republic of Ireland 1-1 Austria: Jonathan Walters' strike rescues vital point for Martin O'Neill's side

Jonathan Walters' 85th-minute strike secured Republic of Ireland a 1-1 draw with Austria and kept their hopes of qualification for the World Cup on track.

Martin O'Neill's side knew victory would take them a significant step to qualifying for next summer's tournament in Russia, but a slow start from the home side saw Austria take the lead through Martin Hinteregger's strike (31).

The hosts rallied after the break but looked like missing out on the opportunity of going top of Group D ahead of Serbia's clash with Wales, live on Sky Sports, until Walters' last-gasp strike kept the Republic's unbeaten run in qualifying in tact.

It could have got even better for O'Neill's side when Shane Duffy bundled the ball home but the goal was ruled out, and they had to settle for a draw which leaves them second behind Serbia on goal difference with four games remaining.

O'Neill sprang something of a surprise when he handed Kevin Long a competitive debut. Burnley defender Long, who only made his debut as a substitute against Mexico in New Jersey on June 1, was included in one of five changes to the side which drew 0-0 with Group D rivals Wales in March as he, Cyrus Christie, Duffy, Robbie Brady and Harry Arter replaced Seamus Coleman, John O'Shea, Richard Keogh, David Meyler and Shane Long.

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Austria coach Marcel Koller was also without a host of big names, including Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer and Marc Janko, through a combination of injury, illness and suspension, but was still able to select Bayern Munich star David Alaba in his starting line-up.

On Friday, Roy Keane, O'Neill's assistant, asked the Irish players to "play on the edge" against Austria but the hosts put in a nervy start at the Aviva Stadium.

They struggled for any fluency in attack with their only real chance coming when Stephen Ward's cross picked out James McClean in the penalty area. The West Brom winger laid the ball off to Walters, but the Stoke man sliced his right-footed shot wide of the target.

A real positive of O'Neill's side's campaign has been in defence. The hosts had gone 524 minutes of competitive football at home without conceding, but they were finally breached in the 31st minute by a well-worked corner routine.

Alaba's low corner picked out Hinteregger in space and the defender fired a low shot past Randolph and into the bottom corner to give Austria a crucial lead at the break.

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The hosts, who brought on Daryl Murphy for Ward in the 56th minute, rallied after the break and they could have been level but for a crucial interception from Sebastian Prodl after Duffy headed Christie's delivery back across the face of goal.

O'Neill's side were starting to pile on the pressure and saw Artur's goal-bound shot blocked before McClean fired wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Wes Hoolahan was introduced in the 71st minute and he was straight into the action. His cross bounced off Stefan Lainer and could have gone anywhere, but fortunately for the visitors the ball nestled straight into the gloves of Heinz Lindner.

The hosts could have been forgiven for thinking it was not going to be their day when Kevin Long's header was cleared off the line and McClean's shot sailed over the crossbar.

But minutes after Randolph made a superb save to deny substitute Florian Grillitsch, Walters chased what looked to be a lost cause, using his strength to hold off Aleksandar Dragovic before firing a shot past Lindner and into the far corner to score his first competitive international goal since November 2015.

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Republic of Ireland thought they'd pulled off what seemed an unlikely victory in the 87th minute when Duffy bundled the ball into the back of the net, but the effort was ruled out, leaving O'Neill bemused on the sidelines.

But in a game they trailed for so long, O'Neill will be delighted with his side's response and a point that sees them keep their qualification hopes on track.