David McGoldrick rose to the occasion as his equaliser with five minutes to go earned Ireland a 1-1 draw against Switzerland.

Mick McCarthy's side came into tonight's game top of the group with three wins and a draw from four games.

And McGoldrick's goal means Ireland remain unbeaten at the top on 11 points, three ahead of Denmark who thrashed Gibraltar.

First Half

The first half at the Aviva failed to sparkle, although an early mix-up in Switzerland's defence gifted Ireland an early corner.

The Boys in Green didn't profit from that early chance.

The Swiss then took charge of possession as expected, but without making the breakthrough.

Ireland did come close through James McClean who thundered into the box on 14 minutes but he was unable to get a clean shot away.

A minute later, Enda Stevens earned a yellow card that rules him out of the next qualifier against Georgia in Tbilisi.

Ireland's David McGoldrick celebrates scoring a goal with Alan Judge
©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Swiss left-back Ricardo Rodriguez let fly with a couple of efforts but failed to test Darren Randolph.

At the other end, Conor Hourihane swung in a dangerous free-kick three minutes before the break.

Second Half

But Ireland's forwards were unable to get on the end of it as the teams went in 0-0 at half-time.

The game became livelier in the second period.

Alan Judge made a vital interception on 62 minutes to turn a dangerous cross across goal away for a Swiss corner when the visitors were poised to score.

Switzerland took the lead with 17 minutes to go. Newcastle defender Schar swept in cooly from just inside the box, finding the bottom corner with aplomb.

But Ireland were able to get back on level terms after a period of pressure.

After Glenn Whelan had struck the crossbar with a piledriver from range, Ireland resumed their hunt for an equaliser.

And it came when James McClean launched a cross into the box for McGoldrick to rise and head in his first goal for Ireland.