Ireland vs. Scotland: Score, Grades and Reaction from Euro 2016 qualifier

Scotland gained a significant advantage over the Republic of Ireland in their race for Euro 2016 qualification, drawing 1-1 in Dublin on Saturday afternoon. 

Jon Walters gave the Irish the lead just before the break—but Shaun Maloney grabbed a vital equaliser just after the restart to give Scotland parity. 

The atmosphere was electric in the Aviva Stadium at kick-off as the teams lined up for their vital encounter. And it was the Irish who burst out of the traps, desperately trying to exert sustained pressure on the visitors. 

Wes Hoolahan went closest for Ireland in the opening minutes, with Scotland clearly strained and inhibited by the boisterous Dublin crowd.

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Alasdair Lamont of BBC Sport passed comment on this during the early part of the game: "The home crowd are enjoying this brisk start to the game by the Republic of Ireland. Wes Hoolahan, playing just off the front for the home side, isn't being picked up, and that's something Scotland will have to address."

Scotland finally began to settle, with Steven Fletcher seeing more of the ball in the forward positions, but the Irish kept the lion's share of possession and continued to push up the pitch with regularity.

Seamus Coleman was at the heart of all that was good for the home side, with the Everton full-back raiding the Scottish defence in typical fashion. 

And finally—the Irish broke the deadlock after 38 minutes as Stoke City veteran Walters controversially fired home from close range. The Scotland team insisted an infringement had been made, as did football pundit Peter Lovenkrands:

Ireland's Breaking News proved Lovenkrands and Scotland's claims:

BBC Radio 5 Live's Pat Nevin (h/t BBC Sport) gave his opinion at half-time, and berated his countrymen for their lack of conviction:

"

You have to say the goal is deserved. Ireland have been the better team and have been very stronger physically. You cannot argue about it. They have been very direct but it has worked for them very well. This is, by some distance, the weakest 45 minutes since Gordon Strachan has taken over as manager. They are not passing it well, or holding the ball. The centre-backs look like they have not met before. They are lucky to just be one goal down.

"

However, the Scots came out for the second half like a team on a mission, and it only took two minutes for them to level the scoreline through Maloney. The midfielder played a smart one two with Ikechi Anya—who made his entrance from the bench after the break—and a huge deflection off John O'Shea saw the ball end up in the Irish net.

The goal sparked another charge from Ireland as they looked for the vital three points they desperately needed.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

But Anya gave the Scots a very useful outlet on the break, and the winger forced Shay Given into a good save. 

Ireland brought on LA Galaxy linchpin Robbie Keane for the final part of the game as they looked to break Scottish hearts. 

And BBC Scotland's Sportscene presenter Jonathan Sutherland urged his country to form a resolute defensive line in order to grab a share of the spoils:

However, the Irish looked shattered in the closing moments as they desperately looked for a winner, and it was the Tartan Army who were singing as the referee blew for full-time.

Relevant Player Grades

Seamus Coleman: B

Ian Walton/Getty Images

A quality afternoon's work from the brilliant full-back. Coleman was not only strong in defence, he was Ireland's most effective player on the front foot. 

Ikechi Anya: B-

You have to question Gordon Strachan's logic in leaving Ikechi out of his starting XI. He always looked like a thorn in Ireland's side in the second half. 

David Marshall: C+

The Scotland goalkeeper had a solid day between the sticks, frustrating the Irish attack on countless occasions.

Post Match Reaction

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan was satisfied with his team's work on Saturday evening, highlighting his side's strong chances of qualifying for Euro 2016 to Sky Sports:

"

We are still in with a good chance of qualifying. And after the amount of games we have played, to have a good chance is terrific from the lads. After our first-half performance, which could have been better, we were decent in the second half. I was happy in the second half when the game died down and we had some good possession and frustrated them. The goal right after half-time gave us a huge boost.

"

Ireland manager Martin O'Neill was clearly disappointed in his post-match interview, but said he still held on to the hope his side could recover during their qualification campaign, per Sky Sports:

"

Scotland will be delighted to get out of here with something but there is still a distance to go, we have not given this up by a long way. Overall I thought we did enough, we have to be more creative but we gave everything and thought we were going to nick it at the end.

"

Ireland now face Gibraltar in their next group match on September 4, with Scotland playing Georgia on the same day.