Okotie earns Austria victory against Montenegro

• Unbeaten Austria defeat Montenegro 1-0
• Rubin Okotie scores winner after 24 minutes
• Martin Harnik and Lukas Hinterseer spurn good chances
• Austria two points clear of Russia at Group G summit
• Next games: Austria v Russia, Montenegro v Sweden (15 November)

Austria have moved clear at the top of UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group G after a 1-0 victory against Montenegro in Vienna.

Austria's match winner on this occasion was Rubin Okotie, who already has six goals in nine league appearances for TSV 1860 München this term but lacked precision when heading a cross from the left straight at Montenegro goalkeeper Vukašin Poleksić on 15 minutes. However, not long after, the hosts' No9 was far more clinical, outmuscling Vladimir Volkov to get to Marko Arnautovic's pass first and turn in from close range.

Though Marcel Koller's team had 68% possession in the opening period, they could not find another to add substance to their superiority. Zlatko Junuzovic's low shot was parried by Poleksić and Martin Hinteregger showed a defender's touch when he hooked the ball over from a corner just before the interval.

The second half started in a similar fashion, Austria going closer still to doubling their advantage when Martin Harnik headed Arnautovic's low delivery past the stranded Poleksić and against the crossbar. Perhaps the best opportunity, though, fell to Lukas Hinterseer, who latched on to a cute pass in behind the visiting defence and controlled neatly on his chest, only to shoot into the side netting after attempting to round Poleksić. Okotie, in support, cut a frustrated figure.

Robert Almer twice thwarted Mirko Vučinić at the other end – the second, three minutes from time, a splendid reaction stop – but Branko Brnović's team otherwise rarely threatened to take anything away from the Austrian capital. Indeed, Poleksić was again required, in added time, to deny Harnik.