World Cup 2018: Republic of Ireland 1-1 Austria

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.

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).

Match report follow later.