Scotland came from behind to earn a crucial point against Ireland in a tense Euro 2016 qualifier in Dublin.
Ireland went in front after 37 minutes when a suspiciously offside-looking Jon Walters netted from close range.
But the Scots restored parity within two minutes of the restart with a Shaun Maloney effort that deflected off John O’Shea following a well-worked move.
The point preserves Scotland’s two point advantage over Martin O’Neill’s side.
This qualifier had been billed as Scotland’s most important match for years. A victory would take Gordon Strachan’s side one step closer to the promised land of Euro 2016 and a return to a first major international tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France.
Ikechi Anya was a notable omission for the visitors as Strachan made four alterations from the side that defeated Qatar 1-0 in last week’s friendly.
Alan Hutton, Russell Martin, James Morrison and Steven Fletcher were all handed starts with Gordon Greer, James McArthur and James Forrest also dropping out.
O’Neill’s Irish side knew anything but a win would be a major dent to their hopes of finishing in the top three in Euro 2016 qualifying group D.
Ireland’s record goalscorer Robbie Keane, who was grieving the loss of two of his cousins in a work accident in Dublin, was named as a substitute with Daryl Murphy and Jon Walters leading the line for the hosts.
Scotland received 3,500 tickets for the match but there were estimated to be well more than 10,000 members of the Tartan Army inside the cauldron-like Aviva Stadium with visiting supporters in every section of the ground.
Steven Naismith had the first effort on goal, a weak effort from the edge of the area that trickled harmlessly wide, but it was the Irish who settled quicker against a jittery Scotland.
Fletcher had a chance to settle the early nerves but his powerful effort was tipped over the crossbar by Shay Given for a fruitless corner.
It was not a match for the faint-hearted with Russell Martin requiring lengthy treatment following a robust challenge from James McCarthy, which earned the Irish midfielder a yellow card.
Ireland made the all-important breakthrough seven minutes before the break when Scotland failed to deal with a Robbie Brady corner. Daryl Murphy’s goal-bound header was saved by David Marshall but the Cardiff City goalkeeper was helpless to prevent Walters, who looked to have been in an offside position, rolling the ball home from close range.
Strachan made a change at the break with the ineffective Ritchie replaced by Anya and the Watford midfielder made an immediate impact.
Maloney exchanged passes with Anya before unleashing a curling left-footed shot which found the bottom corner of the net with the aid of a deflection off John O’Shea.
Ireland almost regained the initiative straight away but Marshall made a fine stop to thwart Murphy.
The pressure from the hosts intensified and Keane was introduced after 73 minutes for Wes Hoolahan as they pressed for a winner.
But despite a late charge from the Irish, Scotland held on for a share of the spoils.