Republic of Ireland 1 Serbia 1: Ireland player ratings

Patrick Madden runs the rule over Stephen Kenny’s side as they earn another late draw

1 Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth)

Ireland's best player of the international break and the success story of the Kenny era. Made save after save, including a right-footed stop from Mitrovic which was genuinely world class. Rating: 9

7 Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur)

Played in all three games and saved his best performance until last - his pressure at the death led to Ireland's goal. Arguably plays better in Coleman's absence. Rating: 8

22 Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City)

Made a number of key interventions ahead of Vlahovic and Mitrovic and was assured in possession. Nearly responsible for the Aviva roof coming off, as a fine late strike was turned behind. Rating: 8

4 Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Sloppy in possession early on and was given a pretty arduous evening by Serbia's centre-forward pairing. Physical presence was key in forcing Ireland's late equaliser. Rating: 6

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5 John Egan (Sheffield United)

Would have been happy to see the back of Vlahovic in the second-half, after he struggled to cope with the 21-year-old's hold up play. Ireland's inside left channel was a weakness. Rating: 5

11 James McClean (Wigan Athletic)

When able to go forward his delivery was far more consistent, but he often had little to aim at. Defensive shortcomings were exposed by Serbia's right flank - but he isn't a defender. Rating: 5

18 Jamie McGrath (St Mirren)

Showed a few nice touches and is clearly a very tidy player but he struggled to assert himself and spent most of his hour chasing Serbia's superior midfielders. Rating: 5

6 Josh Cullen (Anderlecht)

The deepest of Ireland's midfield three, he had the unenviable task of dealing with Tadic. Struggled at times, but he's come out of the break with plenty of credit. Rating: 6

13 Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United)

Looked rejuvenated in the first-half and gave his best showing in an Ireland shirt for a while - tidy on the ball and energetic off it. Guilty of letting Milinkovic-Savic go for the goal. Rating: 7

7 Alan Browne (Preston North End)

Typically busy on his return to the side, he was smart in possession and made a number of intelligent runs but struggled to offer Idah any support of substance. Rating: 6

9 Adam Idah (Norwich City)

A tough night for Idah, who was too often isolated and shadowed by brooding Serbian defenders. Didn't shirk the physical challenge and made a number of good runs off the shoulder. Rating: 6

Bench

Callum Robinson came on with half an hour to go and his cross led to the equaliser, while the introduction of fresh legs helped spur Ireland's late, haphazard onslaught. Rating: 7

Manager

Kenny needed a performance and wanted a result - in the end, he got both. Memories of Azerbaijan will linger but Ireland's late rally means the window ends on a high note. Rating: 7

Patrick Madden

Patrick Madden

Patrick Madden is a former sports journalist with The Irish Times