THE EVENING began with such optimism but when it ended, it ended with a bump. Even a record sixth consecutive clean sheet couldn’t prevent that, disappointment and frustration was etched across every Irish face in the stadium.

This was a result that left Ireland just three points ahead of Armenia, who they still have to host, and trailing leaders Russia by two, ahead of a visit to Moscow in four days’ time.

Giovanni Trapattoni may have sensed the general mood, because it took him until 10.23pm to arrive for the media post-mortem.

When he did, he did not look as forlorn as the rest of them. If anyone could find a positive from the preceding frantic, disjointed and ultimately toothless two hours, it was him. Right?

Ahead of a trip to Russia, who now lead the group by two points after a win over Macedonia, it was time for strong words and bravado. It was time to rally troops who were outplayed by a five-man midfield for large swathes of the game and painfully profligate when the opportunities that were still bound to arise, did.

“The first half Slovakia was a little bit physically superior, but the second half we had two or three more chances – for Keane and Cox and Dunne. They had this opportunity to score but again it did not come,” said Trapattoni.

“It’s not easy, but with this mentality, I think we must be able to think ahead. This is the first game we haven’t scored, until now we have always scored goals. We didn’t concede to our opponent.”

As for a daunting trip to Moscow and the possibility of a result?

“We must think it is possible, why not. It’s Russia, Russia only won 1-0. We deserved more, we have the possibility to deserve more.”

He admitted to “disappointment” and that things weren’t as good as they were before kick-off, but there were caveats. There was still hope.

“I’m a little disappointed because we had two or three opportunities and you usually score one from these chances.”

One of those chances may have been taken by his preferred starter Shane Long, whose calf strain puzzled him.

“It was strange because . . . he had no problem in training, but the scan showed a little blood. When I chose Long for this game, I did so for his speed against big defenders because he is very fast.”

So, where do we stand?

“We are worse off because they (Russia) now have ten goals to our 11 and 16 points, but it is important that we keep this mentality. Our defenders did not concede opportunities.”

Slovakia manager Vladimir Weiss saw it all the other way.

“In the group everything is open, we have good chance for the future. I hope for the same result for Ireland in Moscow. It was a nice game, with lots of great personality . . . The draw was okay.”

Possibly the one positive for Ireland was the visitors’ failure to score, meaning should they finish level on points with their hosts after the next three games, it is Trapattoni’s men who will profit.