The Republic of Ireland moved five points clear at the top of Euro 2020 qualifying Group D with a laboured 2-0 win against Gibraltar.
Joseph Chipolina’s own goal was all that separated the sides until Robbie Brady’s thumping injury-time header.
Brady’s late goal added some gloss to what was another frustrating night for Mick McCarthy’s side against Gibraltar.
Denmark’s 5-1 defeat of Georgia allowed the Irish to extend their pool lead but with more difficult games remaining.
McCarthy’s side must play both of their matches against top seeds Switzerland in the autumn and will complete their European Championship qualifying campaign at home to Denmark on 18 November.
The Republic squad’s arrival at the Aviva Stadium was delayed by 40 minutes after their team bus broke down but the shortened warm up did not deter the home side from playing with ambition against a team that they had struggled to break down in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier.
McCarthy handed Scott Hogan and Callum Robinson their first competitive starts in a more attack-minded 4-4-2 than the 4-3-3 shape employed in the 1-1 draw in Copenhagen last week, with Brady and Glenn Whelan the pair to make way.
