HARRY Arter was satisfied with the Republic of Ireland's goalless draw against Denmark in the first leg of their World Cup qualifying play-off.

Martin O'Neill's side failed to score an away goal but head into Tuesday's second leg knowing a win would send them to next summer's World Cup in Russia after keeping the hosts at bay in Copenhagen.

Cherries midfielder Arter played 88 minutes of the first leg before he was replaced by Glenn Whelan.

The 27-year-old told Sky Sports: "I think away from home a draw is seen as a positive result.

"In an ideal world, we could have done with scoring an away goal. But it is important not to go into the tie and lose it.

"We need to take the positives from that. Apart from the first 15 to 20 minutes, when they had a few good chances, I felt we kept them quiet.

"It (the World Cup) feels a bit closer than before the game. The away game is always the tougher of the games."

Arter has featured seven times for Cherries in the Premier League this season.

Injury cruelly denied the former Woking man the opportunity to take part for the Boys in Green at Euro 2016.