Republic of Ireland overcame a plucky Moldova to eventually win their World Cup qualifier 3-1 in Chisinau on Sunday night.

Martin O'Neill's side struck inside two minutes through Southampton's Shane Long who scored his first goal since May when slotting neatly over Nicolae Calancea after receiving a lovely pass from Wes Hoolahan.

Moldova managed to equalise late in the first half through Igor Bugaev who got the better of Shane Duffy before beating Darren Randolph who had previously been fairly quiet.

The home side had the better of the chances early in the second half before Ireland forced their way into the lead in the 69th minute.

West Bromwich Albion winger James McClean saw his initial attempt from James McCarthy's pass drop to Jon Walters who controlled before allowing the former to fire home.

McClean was then the match-winner on 76 minutes when he accepted captain Seamus Coleman's chip ball into the area with a sweet volley for his seventh international goal.

The result has the Boys In Green sitting second on the Group D table with seven point from three games, only behind Serbia on goal difference, and ahead of Wales by two points.