Blues striker Daryl Murphy came on as a 63rd minute sub as the Republic of Ireland thrashed Gibraltar 7-0 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Murphy, who was winning his 13th cap, proved a threat from corners and wasn’t far away from netting his first international goal, twice heading wide and once into the Gibraltarian keeper’s arms.
Earlier, Robbie Keane completed a hat-trick within the first 18 minutes, with James McClean (2), Wes Hoolahan and an own goal completing the scoring.
Elsewhere, Town defender Christophe Berra was left out of the matchday squad as Scotland beat Georgia 1-0 at Ibrox.
Ireland face Germany in Gelsenkirchen in their next qualifier on Tuesday when Scotland take on Poland in Warsaw. Jonny Williams's Wales side are up against Cyprus in Cardiff on Monday.
Domestically, on-loan right-back Elliott Hewitt made his league debut for Colchester as the U's beat Fleetwood 2-1 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Jack Marriott played the first 77 minutes but wasn't on the scoresheet as Woking won 3-0 away against 10-man Altrincham in the Vanarama Conference.
Anthony Wordsworth and Paul Taylor's loan club Rotherham weren't in action, while Frank Nouble, who is currently with Coventry, and Freddie Veseli, who is with Port Vale, are still sidelined with groin and rib injuries respectively.