Republic of Ireland 2-2 Slovakia: All square at the Aviva Stadium

The Republic of Ireland were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw in their friendly with Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium.

The visitors took the lead through Miroslav Stoch in the 14th minute before two penalties in as many minutes swung the game back in Ireland's favour.

Shane Long, the man fouled on both occasions, scored the first before letting James McClean step up to put Martin O'Neill's side in front.

A Paul McShane own goal on the stroke of half-time levelled it up with neither side able to find a winner after the break.

It was an open game from the off with both sides looking to play on the front foot and before long, Slovakia opened the scoring.

Erik Sabo beat McShane to a bouncing ball and raced clear down the right before cutting the ball back for Stoch, who swept the ball home with aplomb from 15 yards.

It was a double blow for Ireland as goalkeeper Rob Elliot injured himself in trying to make the save and had to be replaced by Darren Randolph.

With Ireland pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Slovakia looked dangerous with pace on the break but two penalties in two minutes turned the game in the hosts' favour.

They were given the chance to draw level after goalkeeper Matus Kozacik had brought down Long, although replays showed it was harsh decision.

Long took full advantage though, sending the keeper the wrong way to score his 15th international goal.

Moments later Long was back in the action, plucking Randolph's long kick out of the sky and bursting past Martin Skrtel, who clipped his heel to concede another spot kick. McClean stepped up this time and squeezed the ball past Kozacik to complete the turnaround.

Stunned by the quick-fire double, Slovakia looked vulnerable for a brief time but Ireland failed to capitalise and the away side had regained their composure by the end of the half and drew level in the 45th minute.

Marek Hamsik, the man through whom all Slovakia's best play came, spread the ball out wide before Sabo slipped in Peter Pekarik down the right.

The full-back reached it just before the byline and cut it back sharply, the ball ricocheting off McShane as he challenged Robert Vittek sending it past the helpless Randolph.

After an entertaining first half, the second period never really got going and chances were at a premium with a host of substitutions and numerous niggling fouls preventing the game from flowing.

Robbie Brady curled a free-kick over the bar while Robert Mak thumped an effort into the side netting for Slovakia, but, in truth, neither side really looked like scoring as the game drifted for much of the second period.