The visitors had taken a 63rd-minute lead through Milivoje Novakovic but Birmingham striker Zigic ensured the hosts shared the spoils as he struck with just four minutes remaining.

Serbia were playing their 50th game as an independent state and they made an assured start as they looked to follow up their 3-0 win over the Faroe Islands.

Zdravko Kuzmanovic produced a great shot from long range but Samir Handanovic produced a fine save.

But it was Slovenia'sZlatko Dedic who had the best chances of the opening 45 minutes but on both occasions he could do no better than drag the ball wide of the post.

But Novakovic made no mistake after the interval as he met Andraz Kirm's accurate cross from the left wing to volley the ball behind Serbia goalkeeper Andjelko Djuricic.

The goal saw Serbia produce a sustained period of attacking pressure with Milos Ninkovic shooting wide in the 71st minute, and in the 75th minute Kuzmanovic's effort was cleared off the line by defender Bojan Jokic.

The hosts then had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down after Matej Javrec had appeared to bring down Danko Lazovic in the box, but the referee ingnored the protests.

Serbia finally found an equaliser in the 86th minute as Antonio Rukavina's cross allowed Zigic to powerfully head home from close range, giving Handanovic no chance.