Under-21 play-off/Azerbaijan 1 Republic of Ireland 2: The Republic of Ireland came from behind in Baku yesterday to win the first leg of their European Championship play-off game and put themselves in a strong position to progress to the group stages.

Scunthorpe's Andy Keogh got both Irish goals in what was only his third game at this level and the 19-year-old's contribution means the Republic need only a draw in next Thursday's return leg at Buckley Park to earn a crack at Belgium and Greece towards the end of the summer.

Azerbaijan rook the lead at the Shafa Stadium through Murad Aghakishiyev but Keogh levelled things just short of the hour when he headed home from the far post after Aiden McGeady had floated in a free from the left.

The Dubliner wrapped up victory two minutes from time when he pounced on a loose ball for a close-range winner. The only downside for Don Givens' side was the sending off, during injury-time, of goalkeeper Darren Quigley for his reaction to what the Irishman felt was poor challenge by one of the local strikers.

"We made a sloppy start to the game," said Givens, "and had to withstand some pressure after going a goal behind. We didn't give them too many chances, though, and once we came into the game late in the first half, I was confident we would get goals.

"Andy (Keogh) was superb up front," he added. "The two wingers, Roy (O'Donovan) and Aiden (McGeady), spent most of the game tracking back and Andy did a fantastic job on his own up there."

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Quigley (UCD); Foley (Luton Town), Keogh (Bristol City), Bruce (Birmingham City), Painter (Birmingham City); Keegan (Drogheda Utd), Flood (Manchester City), Timlin (Fulham), O'Donovan (CorkCity), Keogh (Scunthorpe), McGeady (Celtic). Sub: Long (Reading) for O'Donovan (82 mins).