Good evening and welcome to LIVE coverage of Republic of Ireland v Slovakia from the Aviva Stadium. A huge night for the Irish as they bid to reach their first major finals since the World Cup in 2002.

Duff with a corner, but O'Shea and Dunne can't get their head on it. More frustration for Ireland.

Andrews with a heavy backpass to Given before Duff breaks at the other end. Whelan takes a tumble in the area, but was a clear dive. Lucky to escape a yellow card.

St Ledger knocks a long ball up the park. Tricky high ball, but easy enough take in the end for Mucha, who had to keep his eyes on it.

Stoch on the break, but he misplaces the pass and Ireland can break. Duff's pass cut out by Karhan as Andrews made the run.

We are off and running in this crucial second half. No changes at the break.

There goes the whistle for the break. 0-0. Ireland have struggled. Slovakia the better side up to this stage.

A minute to be added to the half.

The home fans all very quiet. Little wonder. The gameplan is not working as Weiss fails to keep a ball in at the halfway line.

Horrible ball across the face of the Slovakian goal by Ward. Failed to put that ball on the head of a team-mate from McGeady's pass. Looks like 0-0 at the break.

Karhan knocks the ball back to Mucha. All very cool play from the goalkeeper before Ireland pick it up.

Ireland will have to change this at the break. Ireland continue to drop off and they can't get the ball off the Slovakians for long spells. Almost as if Ireland are playing away from home.

Doyle brings down Durica. Could easily have been a yellow card. Lucky to avoid a booking there. Ireland looking very frustrated.

Cech to Stoch and back to Karhan as Slovakia enjoy so much time and space to knock it around.

Weiss dropping deeper and causing the Irish no end of problems. They are moving the ball better than the home side. No doubt about that.

Ireland head for Russia after this match. Would dearly love to go there with a victory in the bag. They know that six points from their next two games is likely to leave them with one foot in the Euro 2012 finals.

Durica can't keep the volley down as he knocks it well over from Stoch's corner. Slovakia continue to look menacing.

Weiss's shot deflects off St Ledger before flying behind for a tackle. Whelan standing too far off the pace.

Chance for Ireland, but Duff sees his shot blocked by Mucha. Fine stop and the best chance of the match from the edge of the box, but no goal.

McGeady cuts inside Karhan and knocks the ball away. Had to get there to make that challenge. Slovakia making good use of their full-backs.

Durica seems to have damaged an elbow after an awkward fall. He departs for some treatment. The visiting fans in party mood in Dublin.

Trapattoni looking a bit perplexed on the Irish bench. Not looking very happy with his lot.