Don Givens' side qualification hopes now seem remote

Georgia U21 1-1 Republic of Ireland U21

Don Givens' Republic of Ireland under-21s fought back to earn a draw in Georgia despite being reduced to 10 men.

It was a brave effort by the Irish but it may not be enough to revive their hopes of reaching next year's European Championship finals.

Ireland fell behind after 19 minutes when goalkeeper Graham Stack conceded a free-kick for handling outside his area and Lado Akhalaia headed home the set piece.

Nottingham Forest's Andrew Reid was sent off after 32 minutes when he took a free-kick before the referee had blown his whistle - having picked up his first booking a minute earlier for fighting.

But substitute Noel Hunt, of Dunfermline, salvaged some pride six minutes before the end when he headed home a cross from fellow substitute Kevin O'Connor.

Givens said before the game that his team needed to win all their remaining matches if they were to have any hopes of passing the group stage.

It was Ireland's first point in the campaign, and they will need to beat Albania in Tirana on Tuesday if they are to keep alive any faint hopes of progressing from Group 10.