Armenia leave Ireland flailing

The Republic of Ireland are three points adrift at the foot of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 2 after losing 2-0 at home to fellow strugglers Armenia.

Sean Scannell and Cillian Sheridan both had opportunities to set the game on a different course but Armenia punished Ireland's profligacy on 34 minutes when Levon Hayrapetyan went past a host of home defenders and finished from the edge of the penalty area. Gevorg Ghazaryan cemented the visitors' lead with a free-kick five minutes prior to half-time before Masis Voskanyan's late dismissal and Ian Daly's scrambled goal offered Ireland brief hope. Seamus Coleman went closest to drawing his side level but Armenia clung on for a win that takes them clear of the bottom of the section.