Shane Duffy header not enough for Republic of Ireland to see off Georgia

James McClean admitted it had been a lacklustre Republic of Ireland display as Shane Duffy’s first international goal was enough only to claim a draw in the World Cup qualifier. The result became more disheartening when Wales beat Austria 1-0 later in the day to close the gap on the Irish to two points.

Ireland rode their luck after Duffy headed home in the fourth minute and Georgia hit back in determined fashion. They equalised 11 minutes before the break through Valeri Qazaishvili and enjoyed much the better of the game for long periods, but ended it still awaiting their first Group D victory.

“It’s been a disappointing night,” McClean told Sky Sports Football. “Just not good enough on the night to be honest. All around we weren’t good enough: our passing, our energy, our defending, our finishing. They’re a lot better than what people think when you look at their results through the group.”

The West Brom winger added: “Saying that I believe we’re better, but we didn’t show that – all over the pitch they were better, passed the ball better. We’ll have better nights; hopefully one of those will be on Tuesday.”

Ireland host Serbia on Tuesday knowing that victory against the group leaders will take them top of a tight group in the race for next summer’s tournament in Russia.

McClean said: “If that goes to plan then tonight doesn’t matter but right now we’re disappointed and we’re a bit angry at ourselves.”

Georgia 1-1 Republic of Ireland: World Cup 2018 qualifier – as it happened Read more

Jonathan Walters was handed a 50th senior cap as part of an Ireland side who featured two changes to the one who drew with Austria in June, Ciaran Clark and Shane Long replacing Kevin Long and Jeff Hendrick.

Georgia launched the first attack with less than two minutes gone when Jano Ananidze crossed from the right and Jambul Jigauri only just failed to climb high enough at the far post. But Ireland took the lead shortly afterwards when Cyrus Christie floated a free-kick into the box and with the keeper, Giorgi Makaridze, under pressure from Duffy and Clark, the Brighton defender headed into an empty net.

Makaridze was relieved to see a swerving Robbie Brady free-kick dip wide of his far post when he was caught flat-footed again seven minutes later, and his opposite number, Darren Randolph, who was happy to see the ball miss the target at the other end when striker Giorgi Kvilitaia got his head to Ananidze’s 15th-minute corner, but could not direct it at goal. McClean went close when he glanced Walters’ cross just past the post. Darren Randolph had to palm away Giorgi Kakabadze’s driven cross.

The home side were causing Ireland problems down the right and Martin O’Neill’s men were repeatedly careless in possession as they attempted to break, although McClean’s industry earned Long a half-chance when the striker sent a dipping volley over the crossbar.

However, Georgia were back in the game when the excellent Ananidze collected Valerian Gvilia’s pass and unpicked the Irish rearguard to slide in Qazaishvili, who made no mistake as Randolph advanced in vain.

The Ireland keeper had to get down to save Nika Kvekveskiri’s skidding long-range effort with the Georgians dominating possession and Ireland firmly on the back foot.

Duffy very nearly finished the half as he had started it when he met Brady’s inswinging corner with a firm header at the far post, but this time Makaridze was in the right place to parry.

The pattern of the first half was largely repeated after the break as the home side moved the ball at will, Ananidze side-footing a 49th-minute effort just wide. Ireland were pinned back deep inside their half with Long painfully isolated and McClean trying desperately to shore up his side’s left flank ahead of Stephen Ward rather than using his pace in the opposite direction.

McClean did force a 59th-minute corner after Long had held up Harry Arter’s long ball, but the Georgian defence was this time equal to the task.

Arter took aim from distance on the hour mark but his dipping volley was claimed comfortably by Makaridze.

Ireland might have retaken the lead had Long rose unmarked to get his head to Christie’s 69th-minute cross but could only land his effort on the roof of the Georgia net.

The substitute Aiden McGeady sensed another chance of glory when he broke into space down the right with 18 minutes remaining but his ambitious long-range strike was blocked at source by the Georgia captain, Guram Kashia.

However, Makaridze was called upon seconds later when Brady thumped in a swerving effort which the keeper took two attempts to claim.

O’Neill introduced a third striker in Daryl Murphy when he replaced the midfielder Glenn Whelan with 79 minutes gone, and in a tense conclusion McClean went close when his shot cannoned off the back of a defender and looped up in the air before it was clasped to the chest of the grateful Makaridze.

McGeady then passed up a wonderful opportunity to win it in stoppage time, lifting a shot harmlessly over the bar as glory beckoned.