BURNLEY ace Stephen Ward says the Republic of Ireland’s 1-1 draw against world champions Germany was ‘a faiytale’ – insisting the result in Gelsenkirchen was not down to luck.

Ward played the full 90 minutes at left back as Ireland claimed a late point in Germany, only three months after Joachim Loew’s side lifted the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.

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John O’Shea netted an injury time equaliser on his 100th international appearance to cancel out Toni Kroos’ 71st-minute goal and take Ireland on to seven points after their first three Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Ward, who had to deal with the likes of Mario Gotze and Toni Kroos, said: “I’m hoping people don’t say we were lucky because you have to make your own luck, defend well and work hard as a team.

“Anyone would have taken that result at the start. Let’s not be silly, we are coming to the world champions here.

“Most people outside would have expected them to win comfortably.

“But we showed that fighting spirit that we have and to get a point is great.

“It’s obviously a fairytale. I don’t think you could have scripted that, on John’s 100th cap getting an equaliser so late on.

“People could say it might be a lucky result, but it’s a vital one and one that people wouldn’t have expected, so it'’s a real bonus.

“Fordey (keeper David Forde) started to make saves, and thankfully we have got him in great form when he needs to be.

“But there are not many chances I would look back on and say it was a clear-cut chance where they could have scored.

“I thought in the second half we deserved the point, especially the way we responded after going 1-0 down.”

Ireland are level on points with Poland at the top of the group – three points ahead of Germany and Scotland.

Burnley keeper Matt Gilks was an unused substitute as Scotland drew 2-2 in Poland.

Scotland host Ireland in the next match on November 14.

Ward, who recently joined Burnley from Wolves, added: “We are unbeaten.

“We go to Scotland next month, which is going to be a massive game now with their result tonight.

“I'm sure they won’t have believed that we have got a point here, so that will be a massive game.

“But unbeaten in three is a great start to the group.”

With England and Wales also well positioned after their opening fixtures, Northern Ireland have also joined the home nations in contention to qualify for the European Championships after a shock 2-0 win at Greece.

They sit top of their group with nine points out of nine.

Blackburn Rovers midfielder Corry Evans played the full 90 minutes in Greece together with Burnley-born Oliver Norwood.

Boss Michael O’Neill also praised the performance of former Claret Kyle Lafferty, who scored the second goal.

O’Neill said: “He has all the attributes you need in a good centre forward. Kyle has been fantastic in the three games. He’s facing international defenders who just can’t handle him.”