How the Irish fared: Time ticking for Irish players

Saturday’s Euro 2016 draw will have provided a timely reminder to those dreaming of being part of the Republic of Ireland squad that time is running out to book a place among the final 23.

Take Anthony Pilkington, for instance. He has been a regular in the Irish squad under Martin O’Neill but has not seen game-time in green since scoring in the 4-1 friendly win over the USA 13 months ago. You sense Pilkington realises the clock is ticking and is responding accordingly.

Nine days ago, he scored the winner in Cardiff City’s 3-2 Championship win at Bolton and on Saturday he was on the mark again with a brilliantly-timed run to beat the offside trap, round Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and stroke the ball into the empty net to put the Bluebirds 2-0 up.

In the build-up to the game, the 27-year-old said a top-six finish was a minimum requirement, but unfortunately for him and his side, things unravelled after his goal with Wednesday fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw.

As a result, Cardiff dropped to seventh with Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich — 1-0 winners at the MK Dons — replacing them in the final play-off spot.

Elsewhere, an Alan Judge penalty helped Brentford to a 2-2 draw at Fulham.

Chris Hughton’s unbeaten Brighton side continue to lead the way, although they dropped two points after conceding a contentious penalty late on at Derby.

“I thought it [the penalty decision] was very harsh,” said Hughton. “The win would have meant a lot to us and we are disappointed.”

In League One, Damien McCrory and Anthony O’Connor both scored as leaders Burton beat Gillingham 3-0. At the other end of the table, Conor Hourihane scored one and made one as Barnsley boosted their survival hopes with a 3-2 win at Colchester.

It was a far less happy weekend for John O’Sullivan as he was sent off in Rochdale’s 2-1 defeat to Swindon.

In League Two, John-Joe O’Toole brilliantly finished off a free-kick routine as Northampton won 4-3 at Luton to go top; Rhys Murphy scored twice in Crawley’s 3-2 win over Dagenham & Redbridge; while Mark Byrne’s effort couldn’t stop Newport from losing 4-3 at Notts County.

In the Scottish Premiership, Adam Rooney held his nerve to convert from the spot as Aberdeen beat Hearts 1-0 while Mark Connolly scored a late consolation as Kilmarmock lost 2-1 at Inverness.