The Republic of Ireland battled hard to pick up a deserved point away to Ukraine in Lodz in the Nations League.

Playing in their fourth game in 11 days the Irish showed no signs of fatigue and there were some terrific individual displays.

The opening goal came from an unlikely source. A stray pass was picked up by Nathan Collins, he raced through and hit a superb strike with the outside of his right foot.

Ukraine were back on level terms in the 47th minute and it was a poor goal to concede from Ireland’s point of view. Andriy Yarmolenko got down the right side, he crossed over to the unmarked Artem Dovbyk and he made no mistake.

Both sides had chances to get a winner but had to be content with a share of the spoils and a break now until September.

Mykole Matvienko brought a good save out of Caoimhin Kelleher in the 11th minute. The best chance of the half fell to Troy Parrott in the 17th minute; Jason Knight with a perfect cross over to the Dubliner at the backpost but he headed just wide.

A ball was played over the top to Vitaliy Mykolenko in the 21st minute, he cut inside but Kelleher made a fine save to deny him.

The deadlock was broken in the 31st minute when Collins picked up a stray pass and made no mistake with a finish the strikers would’ve been happy with. In the 38th minute Knight brought a fine save out of Ukraine keeper Dmytro Riznyk. Parrott couldn’t get a decent shot on the follow-up.

Two minutes into the second half and the Ukrainians were back on level terms through Artem Dovbyk. The game ebbed and flowed as both sides created chances to take the lead.

On the hour mark Parrott brought a save out of Riznyk. One minute later Knight had a chance but the Ukrainian keeper was down to save.

Down the other end Vitaliy Mykolenko played the ball across the front of the goal but there was no one there to turn it in.