It was a devastating outcome for David Jeffrey’s side who, while never rising to any great heights, had done enough to merit at least a draw.

The big names like Peter Thompson, Richard Clarke and Jamie Mulgrew were hardly at their best – the result of a long hard season perhaps.

The game had the most unusual beginning – scheduled to start at 7.45pm the teams did not emerge until 8.05pm.

And it was all due to a mix-up over socks. Both sides had elected to wear white ones and after some behind-the-scenes arguments it was finally agreed that the visitors would be allowed to retain their original choice while Northern Ireland were given a set of blue ones from the Glenavon kit cupboard.

Eventually the match started in bright sunlight and a 20 degree temperature 22 minutes late.

In the 18th minute the Republic were almost in front when Stephen Rice took advantage of some hesitancy in the home defence to pick out David Mooney but Dwayne Nelson saved his volley, brilliantly diving to push his hard low shot round the post.

But then a scare at the other end as a slack back pass by Shane Guthrie was picked up by Stewart who waltzed round keeper Barry Murphy but his shot was deflected onto the crossbar by the outstretched leg of Conor Kenna and came out to for the incoming David Scullion who headed the rebound for goal, but this time it was cleared off the line by Conor Powell.

Then Peter Thompson just after the half-hour volleyed one straight for goal but somehow it did not go in – instead rebounding off the inside of the post and along the goal line before being hooked clear by Gerard O’Brien.

Northern Ireland were by now well in charge following their slow start but were failing to fully capitalise on their superiority.

The home side might have gone ahead 11 minutes into the second half when a neat knock by Thompson gave Barry Holland a chance to shoot on goal but his fierce daisy-cutter was just wide.

But the momentum slackened and there was a lot of scrappy play from both sides.

Then just just as it looked as though he game would peter out into a rather tame draw the Republic grabbed a dramatic winner in injury time.

They won a free kick 25 yards out which was driven into the box by Paul Keegan and an inspirational diving header by Rice planted it firmly into the corner of the net to leave the home side shell-shocked.

This leaves Northern Ireland pointless at the bottom of Group A while their opponents have maximum points from their two games to date.

NI: Nelson, Holland, McClean, Mulgrew, Watson, Lindsay, Ward, Clarke, Thompson, Stewart (McAllister 73), Scullion (Garrett 57)

ROI: Murphy, O’Brien, Powell, Kenna (Murphy 77)), Guthrie, Keegan, Kelly (Behan 46) Rice, Quigley (Rowe 65), Mooney,Brennan

Referee: Adrian McCourt