Giovanni Trapattoni's side head to Zilina on Tuesday to face Slovakia, who sit on top of Group B just ahead of Russia and the Republic, with all three teams on six points.

Russia dominated proceedings last night at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, netting three times in 50 minutes before Robbie Keane's penalty and a first competitive international goal for substitute Shane Long made it 3-2.

That was how it stayed, ending the Republic's 100% start to the group following wins over Armenia and Andorra and handing Trapattoni only his second competitive loss.

Captain Keane, who extended his Republic record to 45 goals, said: "The first half the game was finished, they were the better side. But full credit to the lads, we came back and who knows what could have happened in the last few minutes.

"If we had come off the pitch after getting beaten 3-0 I think we would have been on the floor but we can take positives from the way we came back in the last 20 minutes."

Both teams had received a boost before kick-off when Slovakia were surprisingly beaten 3-1 by Armenia, and Keane feels his side must take something away from Zilina on Tuesday to stay on track.

"It just goes to show how open this group is," he said. "Any team can beat anybody. People said when we went to Armenia we were expected to win the game but they're a decent team and they showed that by beating Slovakia.

"We don't have to win (against Slovakia) but we certainly can't lose the game. That's vitally important for confidence within the team."

Kevin Doyle echoed his strike partner's comments, insisting the reaction should not be too negative despite the one-sided nature of much of the contest.

The Wolves forward said: "We're still (joint) top of the group. We go to Slovakia on Tuesday and we'll be looking to get a result there, simple as that.

"We have to play Russia again, we have to play everyone again, so there's no point being too down about it. Slovakia got beat by Armenia but they beat Russia so it sets up nicely the game on Tuesday."

The Republic's fightback started after Doyle was withdrawn and Spartak Moscow winger Aiden McGeady moved into a central role playing off Keane.

The 24-year-old was at the centre of most of the Republic's best play and, although it he took him away from his natural position, he admitted the change in formation was the catalyst for the host's late response.

McGeady said: "In the first half, when I did have the ball, I didn't get one-on-one with the full-back too many times, it was more two of them with the midfielder tracking back.

"The manager said to me at half-time about (changing position). It seemed to work okay because Robbie was taking the ball down and getting the flick-ons and I got a couple of opportunities that way.

"They were 3-0 up and probably thinking they were cruising, so maybe complacency set in a bit. They would have kicked themselves if we ended up with a point.

"But we changed formation and that helped tenfold all around the pitch. The first half they had far too much possession."

With the last action of the game, the Republic were imploring referee Kevin Blom to award a second penalty when defender Sean St Ledger went down in the box.

He added: "I thought he had his hands all over me. You've seen them given for a lot less but I suppose when there's already been a penalty in the game it's not likely you're going to get another one."