Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CRUEL ZING IN THE TAIL
Injury time agony for Kenny’s brave stars at Seaview
AUSTRIA silenced Seaview with a last gasp equaliser to deny Northern Ireland a famous win in last night’s World Cup qualifier in North Belfast.
Kenny Shiels ladies’ led 2-1 heading into added time thanks to a close range finish from Lauren Wade and a stunning free-kick from Rangers star Demi Vance.
But in the 91st minute Austrian substitute Stefanie Enzinger rose to head past the stranded Jackie Burns to secure a share of the spoils.
A point against Austria, ranked 21st in the world and semi-finalists at the last Euros, is a more than creditable result, but in the cruel circumstances it will have felt like a defeat.
With England, who beat Northern Ireland 4-0 at Wembley on Saturday, firm favourites to top the pool, a draw keeps Kenny Shiels and his players in the race for second and a play-off spot alongside the Austrians.
They trail tonight’s opponents by three points heading into next month’s double header against North Macedonia who lost 3-2 to Luxembourg.
Barbara Dunst had fired Austria ahead from a tight angle with her sixth international goal three minutes before the half-time break.
Latching onto a Sarah Zadrazil pass, the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder squeezed a low shot through Burns’ legs from a tight angle.
It was a hammer blow, but Northern Ireland responded in explosive style with two goals in four minutes at the start of the second half.
In the 46th minute, Wade latched onto a Rachel Furness pass to stab home before Vance arrowed home a spectacular freekick in the 51st.
The Rangers left-back gave sprawling Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger no chance with a curling effort that soared into the top corner. It was a worldie of a strike.
Austria went in search of an equaliser and Marie Hobinger forced a smart save from Burns, before the home keeper denied Dunst and Feiersinger with a double save.
Feiersinger should have levelled three minutes later when she raced through on goal, but her lob bounced the wrong side of the upright.
Reigning Bundesliga player of the year Nicole Billa thought she had salvaged a point for Austria at the death, but her shot crashed off the top of the bar.
Unfortunately for Northern Ireland, an equaliser did come in added time, Enzinger rising to head Wenninger’s cross over the stranded Burns for a dramatic share of the spoils.