Lauren Wade comes so close to capping her 50th appearance for Northern Ireland with a goal.

A lofted ball over the top evades Sara Maliqi at the back-post and falls to Wade, whose first-time shot comes back off the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

Megi Doci is the latest player to try her luck from range, but she blasts wide for the away side.

No real clear cut chances for either side after 20 minutes.

A sight of goal for Gresa Berisha, who flashes a shot wide after Megan Bell conceded possession.

A warning for Northern Ireland that they can't afford to be slack in possession in their own half.

Viona Rexhepi flaps at Demi Vance's deep delivery, but the ball sails out of play and the opportunity is spurned.

The whistle blows and at the break the Republic of Ireland have a comfortable advantage thanks to goals from Caitlin Hayes and Katie McCabe.

The away side dominated proceedings and came close to scoring earlier when Heather Payne's strike looked destined to find the back of the net, but Reka Szocs produced a superb save to tip the ball onto the crossbar.

Courtney Brosnan has had a quiet evening so far and wasn't tested in the opening 45 minutes.

After patient build-up Kirsty McGuinness threads the ball through to Lauren Wade. She aims to find Simone Magill but her cross is deflected behind for another corner.

Kirsty McGuinness drives down the left and feeds Simone Magill, whose low crow lands in Viona Rexhepi's arms.

It is early stages, but those two have linked up well so far and the Aston Villa striker has already been far more involved in the game than she was on Saturday.

Gail Redmond
Ex-Northern Ireland international on co-commentary

There have been good signs in these early stages. It is promising that Northern Ireland now have the depth, they can make six changes just to suit a specific opposition.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Seaview

Albania are happy to let Northern Ireland have plenty of the ball, who in turn are being more patient in possession.

They've come close to that final, crucial pass a few times now.

It's early days but it's a more promising start than on Saturday.

The resulting corner comes to nothing, but Northern Ireland do have a significant height advantage over Albania at set pieces which they will be keen to exploit.

Northern Ireland respond well to that early scare with Megan Bell delivering a low cross from the right, but no one is there to get on the end of an inviting delivery.

Moments later, another low delivery from Rebecca McKenna isn't dealt with by the Albania defence, allowing Nadene Caldwell to nip in with her shot deflected behind for a corner.

An early let-off for Northern Ireland as Rebecca Holloway blocks a header from Kristina Maksuti.

A well-worked short free-kick falls to Arbenita Curraj, who finds Maksuti at the near post.

Her deft header hits off Holloway before Sarah McFadden clears.

Northern Ireland will have to remain resolute defensively from set-pieces to avoid a repeat of Saturday's struggles from free-kicks and corners.

Laura Papp delivers a looping corner into the box but the alert Courtney Brosnan collects the danger before anyone in a red shirt can steer the ball towards goal.

Simone Magill gets the game underway for Northern Ireland, who will be hoping to register their first points of the Nations League campaign this evening.

The Republic of Ireland have dominated possession since they took the lead but are yet to test Reka Szocs again.

Will they be able to extend their lead before the break?

The teams are on the pitch ahead of kick-off at Seaview, with a beaming Sarah McFadden leading the team out with her daughter.

Time for the anthems.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Tanya Oxtoby says she is confident her Northern Ireland side are "in a good place" ahead of Tuesday's Women's Nations League game at home to Albania.

The match at Seaview will be Oxtoby's first home fixture since taking over as Northern Ireland manager.

Oxtoby's first game as boss ended in a 3-0 defeat by the Republic of Ireland on Saturday but the Australian is looking at the positives.

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Seaview

You may have noticed all of the Northern Ireland players wearing tape on their wrists during Saturday's game in Dublin.

This was in tribute to the Sheffield United midfielder Maddy Cusack, who passed away last week aged 27.

Each player had white tape with 'MC' written on it in memory of Maddy.

That's a classy touch from the Northern Ireland players.

Image source, Getty Images