Carlisle United's Joshua Kayode made his mark for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s even as they fell to defeat to Iceland.

The Blues loan striker came off the bench and was involved in Ireland's equalising goal.

They went down, though, to a 2-1 defeat, denting their hopes of European Championship qualification.

Kayode, who had been an unused sub in his previous call-up, was this time introduced after 74 minutes - and was quickly involved in the Irish goal.

After having a shot blocked, he was then in the box to attack a right-wing Lee O'Connor cross, the ball spinning into the net off visiting defender Ari Leifsson.

That wiped out Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen's opener, but after losing Nathan Collins to a late red card, Ireland were hit by a Vladimir Ingimundarson strike in stoppage time.

The result at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin saw Iceland move above Ireland into second place in qualifying Group One.

Jim Crawford's side can no longer qualify automatically for the Euros, leaving them with an outside change of making it through as one of five best group runners-up.

Kayode could be back in action against Luxembourg on Wednesday where the United loanee will hope to fire Ireland to victory and hope results elsewhere boost their qualifying hopes.

Dean Furman, meanwhile, is preparing for a second South Africa outing in four days today.

News and Star: Dean Furman (photo: Richard Parkes)Dean Furman (photo: Richard Parkes)

The experienced Carlisle midfielder turned in an impressive 90-minute display as Bafana Bafana defeated Sao Tome and Principe in last Friday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

They face the same opponents today with Furman hoping for a 55th cap in the return game in Port Elizabeth.

National coach Molefi Ntseki faced criticism from some Bafana Bafana supporters over the call-up of Furman from England's fourth-tier but the South Africa boss has sought to issue a reminder about the 32-year-old's qualities.

“When we brought Dean Furman here for the first time‚ [he was] not playing in the Premier League but playing in the lower division‚” Ntseki said.

“Since Furman came to South Africa he played in the Premier Soccer League and he’s been a regular performer for Bafana Bafana. And this is a Dean Furman who left the country last season.

"Are we now saying Dean Furman who played regularly for SuperSport‚ who won trophies for SuperSport and who has got so many caps in Bafana now all of a sudden when he goes to England and gets a team in the lower division is no longer the quality that we’re looking for?”

The call-ups for Furman and Kayode means they missed Saturday's league defeat to Cheltenham as well as being absent for Tuesday's Papa John's Trophy game against Aston Villa's Under-21s at Brunton Park.