Last updated on .From the section Football

Aleksandar Dragovic of Austria closes in on the Republic of Ireland's Jonathan Walters

The Republic of Ireland avoided a first defeat in World Cup qualifying thanks to a late Jon Walters equaliser against Austria at the Aviva Stadium.

Martin O'Neill's men trailed for most of the match to defender Martin Hinteregger's first-time strike in the 31st minute from a corner move.

They improved after the break and kept their unbeaten record thanks to Walters' 85th-minute volley.

The hosts then thought they had won it but Shane Duffy's effort was ruled out.

A draw means that O'Neill's team have still not been beaten in a competitive match since losing to France in the last 16 at Euro 2016.

The Republic remain second and level on points with Serbia, who drew 1-1 with Wales in Belgrade and boost a superior goal difference.

Jonathan Walters levelled for the Republic against Austria

Republic's poor first half

O'Neill's men were well short of their best in the early exchanges and Austria, beaten by the Republic in Vienna earlier in the campaign, grew in confidence.

The visitors' goal came 14 minutes before the break and was a clearly rehearsed move from Bayern Munich star David Alaba's corner.

Sebastien Prodl let the ball run and Hinteregger directed a left-foot shot into the bottom corner and out of the reach of keeper Darren Randolph.

It was the first goal the Irish had conceded at home in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Republic of Ireland salvaged a draw thanks to Jon Walters' volley

Irish rally after the break

The hosts summoned a much better performance in a second half during which Daryl Murphy, Wes Hoolahan and Aiden McGeady came on as substitutes.

Stefan Lainer almost put into his own net from Hoolahan's ball from the right wing, but Eintracht Frankfurt keeper Heinz Lindner grasped the ball on the line.

Full-back Lainer came to his side's rescue in the 80th minute with a goal-line clearance from Kevin Long's flicked goalbound header, James McClean blazing the follow-up effort well wide.

With the hosts pressing, the Austrians attempted to grab a second but were denied when Randolph tipped away a shot by Florian Grillitsch.

The Republic took full advantage of that reprieve by equalising when Walters beat central defender Aleksandar Dragovic to fire in an accurate right-foot volley.

O'Neill's men then thought they had snatched an unlikely victory when Duffy bundled the ball over the line but it was disallowed.

Walters handy at home - the key stats

Martin O'Neill extended his unbeaten run in home qualifying matches as manager of the Republic of Ireland to nine (W5 D4).

Martin Hinteregger's 31st-minute strike was the first goal the Republic of Ireland have conceded in a qualification game at the Aviva Stadium since John O'Shea's own goal against Scotland in June 2015.

David Alaba has provided an assist in five of his last seven competitive outings for Austria, including the last two.

Five of the last seven goals the Republic of Ireland have scored in home qualifiers have been scored by Jonathan Walters.

Robbie Brady has been directly involved in six goals in his last nine internationals for the Republic of Ireland (three goals, three assists).

Line-ups

Match Stats

Live Text Line-ups R. of Ireland 23 Randolph

2 Christie Booked at 32mins

20 Duffy

18 Long

17 Ward Substituted for Murphy at 56' minutes

22 Arter Substituted for Hoolahan at 71' minutes

6 Whelan Substituted for McGeady at 77' minutes

10 Brady Booked at 29mins

13 Hendrick

11 McClean

19 Walters Substitutes 1 Westwood

3 Pearce

4 O'Shea

5 Keogh

7 McGeady

8 O'Kane

9 Murphy

12 Horgan

14 Hoolahan

15 Hourihane

16 Doyle

21 Hayes Austria 1 Lindner

2 Lainer

3 Dragovic

15 Prödl

4 Hinteregger

14 Baumgartlinger

22 Lazaro

8 Alaba

10 Junuzovic Substituted for Grillitsch at 79' minutes

9 Kainz Substituted for Gregoritsch at 90' minutes

19 Burgstaller Substituted for Harnik at 75' minutes Substitutes 5 Wimmer

6 Laimer

7 Grillitsch

11 Harnik

12 Kuster

13 Stangl

16 Schaub

17 Klein

18 Danso

20 Gregoritsch

21 Alar

23 Bachmann Referee : David José Fernández Borbalán Attendance : 50,000 Match Stats Live Text Post update Match ends, Republic of Ireland 1, Austria 1. Full Time Second Half ends, Republic of Ireland 1, Austria 1. Substitution Substitution, Austria. Michael Gregoritsch replaces Florian Kainz. Post update Foul by Daryl Murphy (Republic of Ireland). Post update Florian Grillitsch (Austria) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Attempt missed. Wes Hoolahan (Republic of Ireland) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Post update Attempt missed. Jonathan Walters (Republic of Ireland) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Post update Foul by Shane Duffy (Republic of Ireland). Post update Stefan Lainer (Austria) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Attempt blocked. Daryl Murphy (Republic of Ireland) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Robbie Brady with a cross. Post update Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Stefan Lainer. goal Goal! Goal! Republic of Ireland 1, Austria 1. Jonathan Walters (Republic of Ireland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Robbie Brady. Post update Attempt blocked. Martin Harnik (Austria) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Alaba with a cross. Post update Corner, Austria. Conceded by Darren Randolph. Post update Attempt saved. Florian Grillitsch (Austria) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Post update Attempt blocked. Florian Grillitsch (Austria) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Valentino Lazaro. Post update Offside, Republic of Ireland. Jonathan Walters tries a through ball, but Cyrus Christie is caught offside. Post update Attempt missed. James McClean (Republic of Ireland) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left following a corner. Post update Attempt blocked. Kevin Long (Republic of Ireland) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Robbie Brady with a cross. Substitution Substitution, Austria. Florian Grillitsch replaces Zlatko Junuzovic. Page 1 of 5 rewind previous Navigate to the next page next Navigate to the last page forward

Match report follow later.