Andrews goal gives Trap's men half-time lead over ten-man Estonia

Estonia 0 Republic of Ireland 1

Keith Andrews got the Republic of Ireland off to the perfect start as they took an early grip on their Euro 2012 play-off against 10-man Estonia.

The Ipswich midfielder headed home Aiden McGeady’s teasing 13th-minute cross to give Giovanni Trapattoni’s men the lead.

Estonia responded in determined fashion with dangerman Konstantin Vassiljev firing just wide with 22 minutes gone, but they were dealt a major blow 11 minutes before the break when central defender Andrei Stepanov was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Estonia were first to threaten when they were awarded an eighth minute free-kick which defender Ragnar Klavan floated into the penalty area.

Skipper Raio Piiroja climbed highest, but he could not direct his glancing header at goal.

Vassiljev, who scored five times during the qualifying campaign, went much closer three minutes later when, after playing a one-two with Kruglov, he saw his shot deflected just over Shay Given’s crossbar.

But the opening goal arrived within two minutes and when it did, it came at the other end.

Keane slid the ball out to Aiden McGeady on the left and his cross was perfectly weighted for midfielder Keith Andrews to send a downward header past keeper Sergei Pareiko and into the bottom corner.

But the celebrations behind Given’s goal might have died in their infancy had lone striker Jarmo Ahjupera managed to get a meaningful touch to Kruglov’s 14th minute cross.

Walters passed up an opportunity to increase the Republic lead when he turned on Sean St Ledger’s header down, but fired wide four minutes later.

Ahjupera should have done better when he met Vassiljev’s 20th minute corner, but sent his header harmlessly across goal.

Vassiljev sent the Ireland keeper diving at full stretch two minutes later, but his fiercely-struck 25-yard drive flew just wide of the far post.

Ruutli’s men repeatedly stretched the visitors as Middlesbrough winger Tarmo Kink warmed to his task on a bitterly cold night.

But it was Vassiljev causing most of the problems as he exploited the space between midfielders Andrews and Glenn Whelan and central defenders St Ledger and Richard Dunne.

McGeady’s pace was proving Ireland’s most effective weapon as he embarked upon a series of runs from deep, although he was closely marshalled after his earlier contribution.

Left-back Stephen Ward had to make a fine 29th-minute tackle to prevent Kink from getting in behind him as he chased an incisive pass into the penalty area.

Walters blasted inches over Pareiko’s crossbar four minutes later after being played in down the right by Whelan, but the real drama was yet to come.

Central defender Andrei Stepanov, who had earlier been booked for a foul on McGeady, was caught in possession by Keane 11 minutes before the break and unceremoniously up-ended him.

Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai had little option to produce a second yellow card, and Stepanov’s involvement in the play-off was over.

Whelan might have doubled the pain from the resulting free-kick, but his rising drive failed to attract Pareiko’s interest.

Ahjupera picked up his side’s third caution of the half for a late 41st-minute challenge on Ward, much to the frustration of the home fans. Their mood might have improved had Vassiljev managed to hit the target with a long-range free-kick two minutes later, but his effort was wayward.