Job done! Huge for Martin O'Neill and his men. A superb second-half display.

Image source, Reuters

That's the chance!

Your giant striker is three yards out with seconds to go and has a headed chance to equalise - and he skews it horribly, painfully wide. Surely that's it?

Jon Walters gets his head down and aims for the corner. He hasn't quite got the legs though and Austria have it back. Last chance? Martin O'Neill is frantic.

The visitors have a spell of possession on the halfway line. Keep the ball. 

Four minutes added on. The Republic are a couple of boots into Row Z away.

What was I saying about safe hands? Darren Randolph comes careering out and flails a punch at a cross. He just about does enough, but it's nervy.

Cleared.

But the ball drops to Aleksandar Dragovic on the edge of the box. He fires in low and Darren Randolph gobbles it up. Safe hands at a crucial time.

A minute to go of normal time. Austria force a corner.

Austria are going route one and quickly. Another long ball finds Marc Janko around the penalty spot. The Republic clear, for now.

You'd imagine they'd be pretty happy defending long balls - meat and drink to Shane Duffy and Ciaran Clark.

Marko Arnautovic concedes a free-kick and the pressure on the visitors eases.

Oh Marc Janko - that was your chance!

The giant striker meets a right-wing cross eight yards out but he gets it horribly wrong and the ball skews away to safety.

Image source, Reuters

Aiden McGeady - not at the top of your list for a backs-to-the-wall effort in the final five minutes of an away game.

Mind you, he might just be able to keep the ball and ease the pressure.

James McClean is hobbling off after a heavy challenge. The Republic down to 10 men momentarily.

Aiden McGeady sprints on. The Irish back to their full quota.

We are very much in two banks of four territory for the Republic here. It's not backs-to-the-wall stuff by any means just yet, but it looks like they're getting ready for a bit of a barrage.

Image source, Getty Images

A rare moment of concern for Darren Randolph. Martin Harnik is played in on the left-hand side of the box and tries a clever lob over the Republic keeper, but Randolph is equal to it.

It was pretty routine in truth.

Ten minutes to go. The Republic closing in on a first win over Austria in 53 years and a first ever victory on Austrian soil.

It has the feeling of a defining period for the Irish in this campaign, even at this early stage.

Wales make three changes from the team which drew with Georgia, and there could be a change in shape too.

In come Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey and Hal Robson-Kanu. Is that a back four?

Wales: Hennessey: Gunter, Chester, Williams, Taylor; Allen, Ramsey, Ledley; Robson-Kanu, Vokes, Bale

Image source, Rex Features

Just as that substitution was about to take place, Shane Duffy launched a clearance about 60 yards upfield. No-nonsense stuff. Good to see. Pep would hate it.

On comes David McGoldrick, replacing Wes Hoolahan. Jon Walters to the wing?

Tottenham defender Kevin Wimmer makes way for the Austrians, replaced by midfielder Stefan Ilsanker.

Image source, Reuters

We should have team news from Wales soon - but how will they line up?

My money is on Wales going with two at the back in their pre-match team photo later although it is hard to predict as you can see from some of their previous examples.... 

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Getty Images

Both sides are about to make a change. David McGoldrick is stripped for the Republic.