Ireland 0 Scotland 0:Gene Muller's side produced a vastly improved performance in their second game of the EuroHockey Nations Championships in Amsterdam to keep alive an outside chance of reaching the semi-finals and a qualification spot in the 2010 World Cup.
Indeed, Muller felt this was a game where the full three points were left on the pitch as his side pummelled the Scottish goal late on but found the final touch evade their sticks at the key moment.
Indeed, they earned two penalty corners on the final hooter but first Nikki Symmons’s shot was blocked by the immaculate Abigail Walker and a second effort was squeezed wide by Irish skipper Eimear Cregan.
Like Saturday’s loss to Germany, Ireland were slow out of the blocks, conceding sis first half penalty corners, one of which Shirley McCay was required to frantically clear off the line.
They were, however, more tenacious in the tackle with Bridget Cleland leading the defensive line and as the nerves died down, Ireland began to enjoy greater possession, winning three corners.
Two were particularly innovative, opening clear opportunities for Symmons and Cregan but Walker stood firm.
Ireland stepped up a further gear after the break and though Lauren Barr blocked Laura Bartlett’s goal-bound strike, the Irish dominated proceedings.
Cregan provided a moment of inspiration to burn three tackles and get a shot off while Lisa Jacob guided a volley just the wrong side of the post.
The two late corner chances went a begging, leaving Muller to settle for a point but means Ireland have a shot at reaching the last four if they beat Spain on Tuesday.
“I have mixed feelings. I was disappointed in the first half; in the second half it was fantastic. Scotland had a few more chances in the first half but in the second, we were unlucky,” he said.
“We had three or four opportunities we were unfortunate not to convert. It was a situation that needed a gear shift and the players responded well. The defence really kept us in that game and gave us the opportunity to go for the win.
“The result leaves us in contention. In a tournament you often rely on other results. We now rely on the Spain-Germany result to put us in a position to get us into the top four.”
Ireland:M Goode, E Cregan (capt), E Clarke, E Stewart, B Cleland, S McCay, C McKean, N Symmons, E Smyth, L Jacob, L Barr. Subs: R Flinn, A Speers, L Colvin, M Frazer, M Harvey
Scotland:A Walker, V Bunce, L Baxter, C Forrest, L Bartlett, H Cram, L Clement (capt), A Robertson, E Rochlin, E Maguire, L Fawcett. Subs: A Bell, J Bryce, N Kidd, L Wrightson, R Ward