A last-strike short-corner goal by the captain Stephen Butler earned Ireland a 3-3 draw with Holland in Madrid yesterday to revive spirits in the Under-21 European Nations Cup (A Division) after Sunday's disappointing 2-1 defeat by England.

Ireland fought back from 2-0 arrears midway through the second half to level the score and though they fell behind again, a final offensive brought its reward. Inside the last minute, Colm Brady forced a short-corner which was cleared initially but with five seconds to spare, Cliff Bailey calmly won another set-piece opportunity for Butler to slot home an equaliser to cherish.

On a much cooler day, Ireland played with encouraging composure even though they were constantly pressed back in the opening half in which the Dutch were awarded nine short-corners. It seemed deflating, though, when Taeke Taekema (corner) and Ronald Brouwer, from a solo thrust, put Holland two up in the 47th and 51st minutes. But Dave Eakins came off the bench to engineer a corner from which Butler's drive was forced over the goalline by David Hobbs.

Surprisingly, the Dutch were wilting and five minutes later they were stunned when Justin Sherriff lashed home a shot on the turn to make it 2-2.

Holland managed to respond with a second setpiece delivery by Taekema for 3-2, yet Ireland still found the resolve to poach a precious point. Now, to reach the semi-finals, Ireland need to beat France handsomely tomorrow and hope that England defeat Holland.

IRELAND (v Holland) - C Henderson; S Butler (capt), A Chambers, K Burns, R Beere; M Harte, M Black, C Brady; J Quigley, J Sherriff, D Hobbs. Subs: c Bailey, D Eakins, P Smith.

European Nations Cup (A Division) in Madrid - Pool B: Ireland 3 Holland 3; England 5 France 2. Placings - 1, England, 6pts (7-3); 2, Holland 4pts (6-4); 3, Ireland 1pt (4-5); 4, France 0 (3-8).