The Republic of Ireland and Scotland have played out a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2016 qualifier, leaving Group D wide open with six matches played.

The visitors staged the fist meaningful attack in the 10th minute as Steven Fletcher let fly from outside the box, forcing Ireland keeper Shay Given to palm the ball behind.

Ireland threatened at the other end seven minutes later when Wes Hoolahan found space 25 yards out and went for goal, with his effort bobbling harmlessly wide of David Marshall's post.

Daryl Murphy almost put the Irish in front in the 38th minute as his header from Glenn Whelan's cross was tipped over by Marshall at close range, but the hosts drew first blood from the resulting corner.

Whelan tested Marshall with another header, and Jonathan Walters was there to scramble the ball home from close range to give Martin O'Neill's men the lead.

Walters appeared to be offside when he provided the finish, but the linesman's flag stayed down and the Irish go into the break with the advantage.

Their lead did not last long once the second period got under way as Shaun Maloney curled in an equaliser within a minute of the restart, with his effort from the edge of the box finding the net via a deflection off John O'Shea.

Ireland almost reclaimed the lead three minutes later when Murphy raced clean through on goal and let fly, but Marshall blocked his initial effort and the rebound was scrambled behind for a corner.

It was the Irish who had the best chance to force a winner late on as James McClean met Robbie Brady's corner at his near post in the 84th minute, but Maloney was on hand to apply a vital interception and divert his effort behind.

The result moves Scotland up to second place in Group D while Ireland remain in fourth. Germany can leapfrog the Scots if they defeat Gibraltar later this evening.