Irish win in Vienna

James McClean was the Republic of Ireland hero once again as Martin O'Neill's men took another step towards the World Cup finals with a 1-0 victory in Austria.

West Brom winger McClean netted twice as Ireland won 3-1 in Moldova last month and grabbed the winner shortly after half-time in Vienna with a wonderful goal totally out of place in a largely forgettable game.

The win enabled Ireland to take control of Group D with 10 points from four games, three ahead of Serbia, who meet Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales.

Austria's hopes of a play-off spot look remote already and it was not hard to see why after a performance that started in encouraging fashion but tailed off badly.

Having won just one of their opening three pool games the onus was on Marcel Koller's side to seize the initiative early on and they duly obliged, Marcel Sabitzer shooting wide after six minutes and Marc Janko seeing a snapshot smartly saved by Ireland goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

The visitors finally settled, although their progress was repeatedly hampered by an inability to maintain possession in midfield where Harry Arter was making his competitive debut.