Good to get something considering how bad it really was.

Should’ve won it considering the ball was in the Austrian net again.

However, when the spittle from an angry crowd settles on the Aviva, everyone will accept once more that the Irish performance was simply not good enough.

Here are how the players rated.

Darren Randolph 5

Good, sharp safe to his left late on but, apart from that, didn’t have much to do but pump long ball forward. Didn’t even do that particularly well.

Cyrus Christie 4

He’s been great for Ireland usually but looked very nervy. Got himself into trouble too much, uncharacteristically lost the ball too much, and lunged wildly in the first half – lucky enough he didn’t have a more strict referee. Kicked the ball out for a safe throw-in in injury time when everyone wanted the hosts to just go for the win.

Shane Duffy 6

Dangerous from set pieces, grand defensively but he hoofed too much ball away from the backline instead of building. Presumably a tactic but still bloody annoying to see. Scored what should’ve been the winner late on but disallowed for a foul.

Kevin Long 6

Very, very unlucky to see his late header flicked off the line. Steady night despite eyebrows being raised at his inclusion.

Stephen Ward 3.5

Pretty bad day at the office. Sloppy in possession, got in the way of his centre back, Long, at a stage to cause real panic, lost his marker for the Austrian goal during a corner. Brought off early in the second half for a striker.

Robbie Brady 5

Shifted from right to left, to full back but couldn’t dominate the game like Ireland simply needs now.

Harry Arter 5

Not his best game in an Irish shirt – didn’t do much wrong, but just didn’t too much either. On this occasion, he was a conductor without a band. He was a central midfielder with the ball, but without options.

Glenn Whelan 5

It’s fashionable to say he played well these days but the truth is that he wasn’t up to much again. Doesn’t present himself for the ball, doesn’t want to do much when he’s forced to take it, and that’s not what you want to see from your captain. Sat with discipline again and nicked back a few balls but Wes Hoolahan should’ve played this game instead of him.

James McClean 7

Teed up Jon Walters twice with lovely touches in the first half. Provided the pace, the sharpness, the energy in attack. Drilled in good balls, hounded the Austrian backline and found himself all over the park again.

Jeff Hendrick 5

Quiet enough outing from Hendrick who was also shifted far too much around. He moved from just off the striker, to right wing, to defensive midfield.

Jon Walters 6.5

Took his goal brilliantly and took a serious beating too by the opposition defenders. Won as much as he could and held it up whenever he had a chance to.

Subs

Daryl Murphy 5

Used as a battering ram but didn’t really have the same impact as he had against Uruguay.

Wes Hoolahan 6

Amazing that things changed when he came on, isn’t it? Another coincidence. Within 100 seconds, he creates a gilt-edged chance and Ireland start pressing forward with more of a foothold in the game. Left far too late before coming on.

Aiden McGeady 5

Only got 10 minutes but he was tidy enough.