Given the hero in Irish stalemate

The Newcastle keeper, who had earlier kept out Mirko Vucinic's third-minute effort, saved again from the striker 16 minutes from time and then pulled off an even better stop to turn away Stevan Jovetic's deflected effort four minutes later.

Robbie Keane might have snatched all three points with a 56th-minute half-volley, which was saved by goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic, and Ireland were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty for a handball by defender Radoslav Batak on the stroke of half-time.

Given was in action within three minutes of the kick-off, pulling off a good save low to his left after initially coming from his line and then stopping as Jovetic played Vucinic in.

The game sprang to life as the half-time whistle approached when Kevin Kilbane almost collected an unwelcome memory of his 50th consecutive competitive appearance.

The 31-year-old was pinned back deep inside his own half by Elsad Zverotic, and as he tried to extricate himself, he slipped and allowed the midfielder to surge into the box and pick out Jovetic. The youngster set himself before pulling the trigger, but John O'Shea got in a magnificent block to protect Given.

But the drama came at the other end in injury-time when defender Batak made a mess of clearing Stephen Hunt's cross and appeared to handle, although referee Sten Kaldma was unimpressed. Hunt argued long and hard with anyone who was prepared to listen as he left the pitch at the break, but to no avail.

Ireland then almost took the lead from a free-kick as Steve Finnan floated the ball into the penalty area, where Kevin Doyle's challenge helped to divert it into Keane's path. The Liverpool striker span and sent a firmly-struck, left-foot half-volley towards goal, but keeper Poleksic was well-placed to beat his effort away.

Given then came to the rescue twice within four minutes when he blocked Vucinic's near-post effort and then somehow managed to to turn Jovetic's deflected shot away after initially finding himself wrong-footed.