Shane Duffy loops a header way over from the free-kick.

Fifteen minutes to go.

Oh now that is a big call. 

Austria skipper Julian Baumgartlinger clips Wes Hoolan on the halfway line, just moments after he was booked. Is he going to go? No. The referee shows leniency. That could easily have been a second yellow.

Austria captain Julian Baumgartlinger goes into the book after a tangle with Harry Arter.

Moments later, Robbie Brady suffers the same fate for kicking the ball away, ruling the left-back out of the Wales game. Blow.

Martin O'Neill was asked beforehand about what would represent a good result. You sensed he'd be absolutely thrilled with a 0-0. Now he'd be disappointed with a point.

Marko Arnautovic probes around the edge of the Republic area, attempting a one-two with David Alaba. But the visitors get a foot in and win a free-kick. Frustrating for the hosts. Plenty of talent, but not much cohesion from them.

Image source, Reuters

What does Martin O'Neill do next? He's already been forced into bringing on David Meyler, so his options for shoring up the midfield are limited when he turns around and looks at the players on the bench behind him.

Or does he stick with the 11 out there? They seem in control at the moment.

Another sighter from David Alaba, who is becoming increasingly influential. He lets on fly from 25 yards and it dips, but not quite enough. A nervy moment for the diving Darren Randolph.

Image source, Reuters

If - and it's a big if - things stay this way, then the Republic will have to be very happy with the first four games of their campaign. They've played three games away from home, remember, so all in all things are looking pretty good.

The Republic have a bit of a habit of sitting back when they take the lead and they've been punished for it in the recent past. But I suspect that is exactly what is going to happen in the final 25 minutes or so here. Hold what you have.

Ten points from a possible 12? That'll do nicely.

It also means that a Wales win later on is looking pretty necessary...

Image source, .

That man David Alaba nearly makes amends for his moment of embarrassment. He lines up a free-kick 25 yards out, it looks good but flies wide. Better.

Irish fans will love that one. Austria's star player David Alaba performs an embarrassing airkick in midfield - it's symptomatic of the sloppy start his side have made to this half.

Austria do make a change, Louis Schaub on for Alessandro Schöpf. The new man is immediately on the ball. Austria need him to make an impact.

The Republic started out this campaign behind Wales and Austria in the betting to win Group D, but right at this moment they believe. Their fans believe - they are in superb voice in Vienna - and more importantly the players appear to believe. It's on.

Another chance for the visitors, this time James McClean firing wide from a tight angle on the right.

What has happened to Austria? They need to do something or the road to Russia is looking like a very, very tricky one.

I have no idea what went on in the Irish dressing room at half-time - and in fairness they did well in the first half - but this is the kind of start I imagine you get when Roy Keane isn't best pleased.

Is it 2-0? No!

Jon Walters heads in from a whipped right-wing free-kick but he went a fraction early. 

The Republic on top. Can they kill this one off?

This is suddenly a pretty major 45 minutes for Austria. They started as one of the favourites for this group, but they're in danger of getting cut adrift - they'll be six points adrift of the Republic if they lose this one.

Game on. The Republic are 45 minutes from going top of Group D.

No changes.

Image source, EPA