Derby forward Steve Howard scored on his international debut to salvage a draw for Scotland B against a superior visiting side.

The 3,133 diehards who braved a cold night in Airdrie looking for an antidote to Scotland's Euro 2008 disappointment had to wait 83 minutes for some relief when Howard headed in off the post.

Aberdeen defender Richie Byrne had put the Irish ahead midway through the second half after Graeme Smith pulled off a string of fine saves.

Scotland boss Alex McLeish included Rangers midfielders Kevin Thomson and Steven Whittaker but, tellingly, the player who did most to further his credentials was Motherwell goalkeeper Smith.

Republic of Ireland included Dundee United pair Sean Dillon and Noel Hunt with former Livingston winger Wes Hoolahan and ex-Celtic reserve Jim Goodwin, who was sent off in the dying minutes.

Scotland had a good chance in the second minute when Michael Stewart rolled the ball just beyond the onrushing Chris Iwelumo and the far post.

But the game soon developed the air of a bounce match and only a late tackle by Ross Wallace on Goodwin livened up proceedings.

The Irish full-back angrily pushed Wallace and was lucky not to join his fellow ex-Celt in the book.

The visitors were enjoying some decent possession and Hunt forced Smith to work with a low drive from 20 yards.

Moments later Hoolahan flicked a cross just beyond unmarked Sunderland forward Roy O'Donovan.

The Irish were forced to reshuffle when Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glenn Whelan limped off following a hefty tackle by Sheffield United full-back Chris Armstrong. Byrne came on and Goodwin moved into midfield.

The Republic came closest to ending the first-half deadlock after Stewart made a mess of a short free-kick inside the Irish half.

O'Donovan broke quickly and squared for Hunt but Smith got down brilliantly to save his powerful low drive.

Scotland's front pair were struggling to make an impact but Durham-born Howard, 31, who qualifies through his grandmother, managed to release Iwelumo with a first-time pass, only for Colin Doyle to easily save his ambitious 25-yard drive.

The Birmingham goalkeeper was forced into a more impressive stop moments later when he tipped over Wallace's powerful effort.

The Scots finished the half strongly and Goodwin was booked for bringing down Wallace as the Sunderland winger broke at pace.

McLeish introduced Charlie Adam and Wolves defender Neill Collins at half-time but the Irish took a grip of the game.

Smith was again the Scotland hero when he pulled off a brilliant double save, first pushing away Byrne's diving header and then turning wide O'Donovan's follow-up.

Goodwin got away with another push - this time as Adam held on to the ball after Scotland conceded a free-kick - but the Sc**thorpe player was more productive seconds later as his 18-yard strike was caught by Smith.

Tempers almost boiled over when Whittaker reacted angrily to a two-footed challenge by Michael Doyle and the Rangers man was booked.

Smith pushed a 25-yard strike by Ireland sub Mark Yeates onto the bar but there was only so much he could do to save his side and Byrne stroked into the empty net to give the Republic a 65th-minute lead.

Yeates almost made the hosts suffer even more but Adam escaped punishment when he appeared to clip him inside the box, and the Colchester forward soon dragged a shot wide from 20 yards.

Yeates then beat Berra in the centre circle and released Michael Doyle, but the Coventry midfielder shot just wide from a tight angle outside the box.

But Scotland salvaged a draw when Howard's header from a floated Armstrong cross hit off the post and spun over the line.

The Scots finished the better side but a winner would have been unjust on the Irish.

However, the visitors suffered another late blow when Goodwin fell off his disciplinary tightrope as he brought down Armstrong 30 yards out.

Maltese referee Joseph Attard initially forgot to show him a red card after his second yellow, but his error was quickly pointed out by Wallace.