Damien Duff was Ireland's only real attacking threat

The Republic of Ireland's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2004 are hanging in the balance after they drew 1-1 with Russia in Dublin on Saturday.

The Irish remain second in Group 10 but are likely to have to beat leaders Switzerland in their final match on 11 October to have any chance of making the finals in Portugal next summer.

Switzerland have a point more than Ireland and Russia three points fewer - but both teams have two more games to play rather than the Republic's one.

A piece of magic from Damien Duff put Ireland ahead in the 35th minute at Lansdowne Road but the Russians equalised before half-time and held on with a degree of comfort to claim the draw.

The result was not the only piece of bad news for the Irish - Kenny Cunningham will miss the game in Switzerland after picking up a yellow card and left-back John O'Shea limped off early in the first half with a knee injury.

Duff's goal was the highlight of the game.

The Chelsea forward produced a mazy run to beat three Russian challenges and his shot from 25 yards took a deflection off centre-back Victor Onopko before beating Sergei Ovchinnikov's dive.

That just about ends Ireland's hopes of qualifying From Allister Webb Have your say on 606

But the Russians equalised within seven minutes after a mistake by Shay Given.

The Newcastle goalkeeper tipped Alexander Kerzhakov's powerful shot over the bar, but he failed to gather the resulting corner and centre-back Sergei Ignashevich knocked the ball home from 10 yards for a goal which Russia deserved on the balance of play.

The Russians had shackled Ireland effectively for much of the first half and the visitors had fashioned the more convincing chances.

And the introduction of Steven Reid for Lee Carsley at half-time made little difference and the Russians seemed capable of countering any threat.

Kilbane, who had looked lively throughout, produced a driving run at the heart of the Russian defence in the 64th minute but was fouled by Ignashevich, who picked up a yellow card.

Republic of Ireland: Given, Carr, Breen, Cunningham, O'Shea (Harte 26), Carsley (Reid 45), Holland, Healy, Kilbane, Duff, Morrison (Doherty 73).
Subs not used: Colgan, Finnan, Kinsella, Connolly.

Booked: Cunningham, Kilbane.

Russia: Ovchinnikov, Sennikov, Evseev, Smertin, Alenitchev (Aldonin 39), Ignashevich, Onopko, Gusev, Boulykin, Mostovoi, Esipov (Kerzhakov 33).
Subs not used: Malafeev, Nizhegorodov, Radimov, Loskov, Sychev.

Booked: Gusev, Ignashevich, Evseev, Mostovoi.

Attendance: 36,000.

Referee: Michel Lubos (Slovakia).