The Republic of Ireland claimed an important draw away from home against France in their World Cup Qualifying Group 4 encounter, but will feel slightly unlucky not to have taken all three points.
A hugely impressive display from Brian Kerr's men saw them force France onto the back-foot for long periods of the game, but they were unable to find that crucial breakthrough that would have seen them win.
French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez was called into action to make last-gasp saves from Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, while Shay Given produced some fine saves for Ireland when called into action.
Ireland started brightly, taking the game to France from the start and created the first chance of the game inside 70 seconds. Roy Keane played a neat through-ball for Clinton Morrison to run onto, but the Birmingham striker was narrowly beaten to the ball by Barthez.
France soon found their feet and began to pass the ball about with their swagger of old, but Ireland were threatening up front themselves and Morrison missed arguably the best chance of the half on 30 minutes, when he could only glance Steve Finnan's cross wide from 12 yards.
The visitors' defence, led by Kenny Cunningham, were able to soaked up nearly anything the French threw at them although Shay Given was at full stretch to tip Robert Pires' 38th minute just shot wide of the post.
Ireland suffered a setback just after that effort when Morrison was taken off with a knee-injury, to be replaced by Nottingham Forest winger Andy Reid.
The second half started off in explosive fashion, with Barthez being stung into action by a low powerful attempt by Reid while at the other end Pires set up Gallas for a close range shot which he lifted over Given's crossbar when he really should have done better.
Robbie Keane, perhaps should have opened the scoring when he was one-on-one with Barthez but seconds later, and as Ireland turned up the pressure, Kilbane had his head in his hands after watching his shot trickle wide with Barthez out of his goal.
John O'Shea was the next to miss the target when he somehow side-footed the ball wide after a deep left-wing cross from Reid presented him with a relatively straight-forward chance.
Given then denied Henry in the 79th minute with a finger-tip save after the Arsenal striker's brilliant first touch had created the chance.
There was time for some late controversy as Barthez was lucky to stay on the pitch when he clearly aimed an elbow at Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien after some jostling in the area before an Irish corner.
Ireland were unable to find a way through despite a late push, and the draw leaves Group Four delicately poised after three games as Ireland, France, Switzerland and Israel all have five points.
