Slovakia dealt the Republic of Ireland's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 a blow as they claimed a last-gasp draw in Bratislava.
Late equaliser denies Ireland victory
Slovakia's Marek Cech dealt the Republic of Ireland's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 a hammer blow with an injury-time equaliser as their Group D clash in Bratislava ended 2-2.
Cech fired home from the edge of the box to deny Ireland the victory which would have taken them into Wednesday's clash in the Czech Republic on a high - instead of trailing them by four points, as they now do.
It looked like Kevin Doyle's wonder-goal from 30-yards had wrapped up the points for the visitors until Cech's late strike.
Ireland for Ireland
Stephen Ireland had given the Irish a great start with the opening goal in the
seventh minute but the Slovakians, who had started nervously, equalised before the break through Maros Klimpl.
The home side threatened to continue in the second half as they had finished the first.
Marek Hamsik looped a long range effort into Shay Given's arms before John O'Shea's delightful lob set up a rare Republic chance, with Ireland's powerful drive acrobatically saved by Stefan Senecky.
The Slovaks should have taken the lead in the 55th minute. Krajcik found space down the right flank and launched a cross from which Marek Mintal fired a diving header inches wide of target.
Wonder-goal
But the Irish took back the lead out of nowhere two minutes later when Doyle unleashed an unstoppable left-footed shot from 30 yards which rocketed into the back of the net and sent the Irish fans wild.
Given reacted well to save a Gresko header in the 63rd minute but McShane almost bundled home a third for the Irish.
Steve Staunton introduced Darron Gibson for his competitive debut as his side sought to hang on to a result which would send them to Prague in good heart.
And it was the visitors who looked like finishing the match stronger, with O'Shea seeing his cross booted away from the danger zone then Keane denied a shooting chance by some alert goalkeeping by Senecky.
Late-leveller
But as the stadium clock showed 90 minutes the Irish needed a superb challenge from Dunne to prevent Mintal from having an easy chance.
And Ireland were denied victory in heartbreaking fashion when they failed to
clear their lines deep into injury time and Cech grabbed a dramatic equaliser.
