ANOTHER good performance from Ian Evans's burgeoning team, but no joy at the end of it. This defeat in last night's Under-21 European Championship qualifier in Bucharest will stick in the craw of the Irish youngsters. Matching Romania pass for pass, Ireland's lack of cutting edge gives them a mountain to climb if they are to reach next year's finals.

The home defeat to Iceland left them with little margin for error and last night's defeat leaves them nine points adrift of the Romanians. Ireland must now win their final four games and obtain a favour or two along the way.

That's a pity, for this team are not only nice to watch but are probably one of the best Irish sides of recent times. And to think that Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Ian Harte, Keith O'Neill and David Connolly are eligible as well. Not unexpectedly, though, it was the absence of another young member of the senior squad, Mark Kennedy (suspended for this game in any case), which hit Ireland hardest.

It was about all that was missing. Kennedy was a different class in the 4-0 rout of Macedonia, but without him last night the Irish lacked that something extra.

Neal Fenn, a good footballer if lacking pace, did make a fine impression; holding the ball up with an assured first touch and laying it off cleverly. Feeding off Fenn, Rory Delap also managed to get in on the business end of things, and if he was a bit more clinical, might have completed the jigsaw.

Many players added to their reputations. Kevin Kilbaine, strong in the tackle and when going forward, was a forceful presence along the left. Robert Quinn and Owen Coll defended and initiated passing moves with equal composure. Willie Boland held midfield, while Stephen Finnan and Gareth Farrelly broke with menace.

If there was one weakness, it was their lack of pace compared to the opposition.

Chances were about evenly split in the opening half. Ireland came close to scoring after 13 minutes when Finnan released Fenn in a swift counter-attack. He found Delap inside, but the Carlisle player's shot, while beating the advancing Tufisi, shaved a post.

Romania struck within two minutes when a lapse in concentration was compounded by a freakish finish. Frasineanu ran over a free-kick on the touchline before Lita played it into his path.

The two-man Irish wall didn't react, and though Frasineanu's initial shot was blocked, his second attempt looped over the congested area and in off the far post.

Without really earning it, the Romanians thus had a crucial edge and it shook the Irish from their early rhythm. Frasineanu continued to threaten, his powerful 26th-minute header beating goalkeeper Brendan Murphy before David Worrell cleared brilliantly off the line.

Delap did direct a free header from Fenn's cross well over and, nearing the break, Tufisi touched over Coll's header from a Finnan free.

Ireland had their chances after the break as well. Finnan declined to gamble on a first-time volley when Fenn and Farrelly combined well, while just past the hour Fenn seemed to be bundled over in the area. A Coll header also tested Tufisi, while another Kilbaine raid earned a Farrelly free which saw Quinn's header deflected over.

Even in the last five minutes Kilbaine arrived at pace to head a Farrelly corner just over and then Fenn teed up Dominic Foley for a shot which was deflected over. In fairness, the Romanians defended well, but this was a game Ireland could, and probably should, have got something from.