Ireland had to make do with a single point from their home clash with Slovakia as skipper Robbie Keane and substitute Simon Cox passed up glorious late opportunities to win the game and bring their side back on terms with the Russians, who beat Macedonia tonight, at the top of Group B.

However, they will head for the artificial pitch at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium two points adrift and knowing that automatic qualification could be all but beyond them if they do not return with all three points.

Trapattoni said: "We must think it is possible to win in Russia - why not? It is important to believe this.

"Today, we were first in the table because we had scored more goals than Russia, 11 against nine, and now they have 10.

"Yes, they have 16 points, but it is important now to play with the same application and order and with this attitude and mentality.

"Our defence was very, very strong tonight and we didn't concede a goal."

Ireland were booed off the pitch by a disappointed home crowd on the final whistle, and they will fly to Moscow on Sunday without central defender Sean St Ledger, who is suspended after picking up a late booking.

But it could have been so different had Keane taken the kind of opportunity he has made a habit of burying throughout his international career.

There were 16 minutes remaining when Damien Duff stepped inside on to his left foot to curl the most inviting of crosses to the far post.

Keane rose unopposed and seemed certain to score, but he mistimed his header and the ball came of a combination of neck and shoulder and dropped agonisingly wide.

In truth, had Keane converted that chance and collected his 52nd goal for his country, it would have secured a win his side did not really deserve after a below-par performance.

Duff had seen Slovakia keeper Jan Mucha beat away his deflected first-half effort and Cox fired wastefully wide after being set up by Keane six minutes from time, but Slovakia were the better side for much of the game.

Shay Given had to keep out first-half efforts from Vladimir Weiss and Filip Holosko and Ireland looked increasingly vulnerable at the back as they committed men to the search for a winner.

But a record sixth successive clean sheet was of little consolation for Trapattoni and his players, who were booed from the pitch.

When asked about the reception from the stands, Trapattoni said with a smile: "Also me.

"The players were a little bit disappointed. In the first half, Slovakia were a little bit physically superior and they had more possession.

"But in the second half, we had two or three good chances. Robbie Keane and Simon Cox had the opportunity to score goals, but didn't take them.

"But it's the first time we haven't scored a goal. We didn't win, but we didn't lose either."

Slovakia boss Vladimir Weiss was more than happy with a result he believes leaves them in with a chance of securing qualification.

He said: "It was a great match by both teams because the play was very open. We could have won and we could have lost. In this match, everything was possible.

"The group is obviously open and we must just now win on Tuesday against Armenia and we have a good chance for the future.

"I hope the result is the same in Moscow for Ireland and I think it is possible."