Stephen Elliott, who was in for the suspended Morrison, gave Ireland the dream start when after six minutes, with his first international goal. Keane knocked the ball away from a defender, following Kilbane's cross from the left, and Elliott beat the 'keeper with a left-footed shot on the turn from six yards. The dream start as six points from the last two qualifying games should see Ireland qualify for the play-offs.

The Irish goal followed some early pressure and Elliott almost opened his account after just two minutes when he almost got in on the end of Kavanagh's cross .

Despite this early lead Ireland, as has become the norm in this group, failed to put their stamp on the game and sat back and let the Cypriots back into the game. They attacked the Irish goal in waves, a shot wide was followed by a shot that was blocked by a crowded Irish defence. Given, Ireland's best player in the campaign by a mile, then made a good save from a Cunningham error.

The home side pressure eventually paid off after 13 minutes when Okkas, using some deft footwork, was fouled in the box by Dunne. That sinking feeling as Okkas stepped up for the spot kick, thankfully he faced Shay Given who stood tall and managed to get a hand to the ball and push it away for a corner!

Despite this huge let-off the Irish defence remained in tatters and Carr was forced across to the opposite wing to try and block Okkas' run into the box. Given made another phenomenal save in the air from a shot across goal.

Constantinos wasted a good chance from a free-kick for the home side as he fired a free-kick well off target after Kavanagh was booked. Okkas almost got in after 24 minutes but hit an air-shot as the ball came over his shoulder and trickled to Given.

Cyprus kept up the pressure but didn't create any more real chances until the 40th minute when Given was forced to tip over from a 20 yard dipping shot from Okkas which he hit over a crowded goalmouth.

Ireland managed a rare foray up the field at the end of the first half and Keane's challenge for Duff's cross resulted in some half-hearted shouts for a penalty.

Half time lead saw some emergency repairs to the Irish team as Holland came on for Finnan and Kilbane moved to the left wing and Duff to the right. This remedial action seemed to have some positive impact on the Irish performance although the excursions of the first half seemed to have taken its toll on the Cypriots.

An Irish free-kick before the hour could have led to a second Irish goal but Kilbane and Dunne couldn't connect. Then Duff limped off with a knee injury and was replaced by Stephen Reid. Cyprus then struck back as Krassas fired over as the Cypriot pressure eased dramatically

The Irish defence still remained shaky and Carr was almost punished after an awful attempted clearance, however atrocious Cypriot finishing saved Irish blushes. Keane almost got a second goal after 78 minutes, when he got on the end of Elliotts pass and lobbed the advancing keeper, however the defender Louka got back to clear the ball from the the goal-line.

Although the Cypriots managed to get a couple of dangerous balls into the Irish box a lack of support meant that these came to nothing.

In the end Ireland got the precious and vital three points. Given was outstanding and Duff was injured, overall the Irish performance was flat with poor, nervous and uncertain defending, not the ideal preparations for next Wednesday's final qualification and must win game against Switzerland.

Teams:

Cyprus: Panayiotu; Ilia, Lambrou, Louka, Garpozis, Michail, Makridis, Charalampidis, Alonefitis, Okkas, Konstantinou.

Ireland : Given, Carr, O'Shea, Cunningham, Dunne, Finnan (Holland, 46 mins), Duff (S Reid, 61 mins), Kavanagh, Kilbane, Keane (Connolly, 88 mins), Elliott.