Substitute Troy Parrott nets late Republic of Ireland winner against Lithuania

Substitute Troy Parrott spared the Republic of Ireland’s blushes with a stoppage-time winner in a narrow 1-0 victory against Lithuania on a night when they had four goals disallowed for offside.

The Tottenham striker, currently on loan at MK Dons, produced his third senior international strike in the nick of time after Chiedozie Ogbene twice, Conor Hourihane and Scott Hogan had seen efforts chalked off.

Three days after twice fighting back to hold world number one side Belgium 2-2 at the Aviva Stadium, an Ireland team featuring six changes laboured to edge victory over the Lithuanians, who are ranked 137 by FIFA.

There was a first start for striker Will Keane – the twin brother of England defender Michael – and a return for defender Dara O’Shea, back for the first time since breaking an ankle against Portugal in September, but a game which extended Ireland’s unbeaten run to eight games otherwise had little to recommend it.

After a low-key start, wing-back Ryan Manning raised the temperature when he thumped a left-footed volley just wide after Hourihane’s corner had been cleared to the edge of the penalty area, and Ireland thought they had taken the lead seconds later when Ogbene converted Manning’s driven cross, although he did so from an offside position.

Lithuania goalkeeper Dziugas Bartkus had to field Ogbene’s deflected shot and Callum Robinson blazed an attempt high and wide as the home side found their feet.

Manning curled a 16th-minute effort from distance wide after Hourihane had pulled a wide free-kick square to him and Robinson cleared the target comfortably once again after he let fly from 25 yards four minutes later.

But as their frustration mounted, Ireland became increasingly untidy in possession and