Irish pay the penalty as Slovaks force draw

The Republic of Ireland blew a chance to stay top of their Euro 2012 group here on Tuesday as they were held 1-1 by Slovakia in a match which saw Robbie Keane have a first-half penalty saved.

The Irish had taken the lead through Sean St Ledger before Slovakia equalised also in the first-half with Jan Durica their scorer.

With Russia winning 1-0 also on Tuesday, the Irish and Slovaks move on to seven points, two adrift of their rivals.

The Irish got a dream start after the Slovaks had gone close to taking the lead themselves.

Midfielder Keith Fahey made the most of his last minute selection because of Liam Lawrence’s leg injury as his freekick was not cleared by the home defence and St Ledger took his chance brilliantly.

The Slovaks though were creating more chances than the cautious Irish and after Erik Jendrisek had wasted one more opportunity the hosts finally did level through Jan Durica’s header from playmaker Marek Hamsik’s corner.

However, the visitors should have been up at the break as on the stroke of half-time they were awarded a penalty when one of Slovakia’s standout players from the World Cup final goalkeeper Jan Mucha brought down Aiden McGeady.

Mucha, though, redeemed himself by saving the normally reliable Keane’s subsequent spotkick.

The Irish opted for safety first in the second-half allowing the Slovaks to come at them and soaked up the pressure.

Indeed they almost stole an undeserved victory as veteran Kevin Kilbane found Keane, who outfoxed his marker brilliantly and had the goal at his mercy only to lose his cool and shoot wildly over the bar.