It was the third successive defeat for the Irish in Group Three and they have yet to score a goal in those games.

Goran Vujovic capitalised on sloppy play and ran through to beat goalkeeper Darren Quigley in the fourth minute.

Adam Rooney, Aidan Downes and Conor Sammon all wasted chances for the Irish, who play Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Stoke striker Rooney had a chance to level in the 27th minute but failed to beat keeper Bojan Radanovic with a powerful strike.

Ilija Spasojevic and Vujovic both missed chances to increase the home side's lead before the break.

Blackburn winger Keith Treacy was unlucky not to mark his Irish debut with a goal in first-half injury-time with a long-range strike that whistled narrowly wide.

Radanovic made an important save to deny Rooney once again in the 61st minute.

Another Irish chance was wasted in the 78th minute when Everton player Downes volleyed over from a Stephen Quinn cross.

UCD striker Sammon also failed to hit the target when he headed across goal from close range in the 89th minute.

The Republic will face Bulgaria in Athlone on Tuesday.