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Republic of Ireland continued their solid start to World Cup qualification but only after a nervy 1-0 victory over Cyprus at Croke Park.

Robbie Keane's fifth minute header made it seven points out of nine for Giovanni Trapattoni's side in Group 8, and with Bulgaria being held by Georgia earlier, it tightens Ireland's grip on second place in the group behind favourites Italy who beat Montenegro.

Ireland knew coming into match that Cyprus would be no pushovers after dropping four points to the Mediterranean island during their Euro 2008 qualification campaign.

Once again the Cypriots proved to be troublesome opponents as they started to win the possession battle as the game went on, but a lack of a cutting edge on their part and some gutsy defending, especially from man-of-the-match Richard Dunne, allowed Ireland to hang on for the win.

Keane's first ever goal at Croke Park gave the Irish the perfect start but while the Liverpool striker nodded it home it was Damien Duff who deserves all the plaudits.

The Newcastle winger picked up the ball with his back to goal before turning and jinking his way into the box. He then stood up a perfect ball for Keane who was free at the back post to head easily into the net.

Ireland started very brightly and remained the more likely side throughout the opening 45 minutes, with Aiden McGeady and Keane both testing Antonis Giorgallidi with low shots from just outside the box.

In-form Kevin Doyle also set a good chance up for himself when a Cruyff-like turn afforded him some space in the area but he blasted his shot over the bar.

However, Cyprus looked dangerous themselves once they settled into the game and Shay Given had to make a close range save from Michael Konstantinou after Duff screwed a clearance into his path. Dimitris Christofi then had a chance with the rebound but fired his effort over the bar.

That was a just a taster of things to come though, as Cyprus started winning the midfield battle in the second-half.

Ireland's young midfield duo of Glenn Whelan and Darron Gibson were struggling to stamp their authority on proceedings but Cyprus still couldn't test Given, who was being protected by an inspired Dunne who was flinging his body at everything.

The two combined to deny Christofi, who had Cyprus's best chance just four minutes from time, when they both flung themselves at the youngster's shot from close range after Konstantinos Makridis had set up the chance.

Despite being under a steady stream of pressure Trapattoni wasn't tempted to make a substitition until stoppage time when Caleb Folan came on for his debut.

Instead, they soaked up what Cyprus threw at them and looked to catch their opponents on the break, which they almost did on a couple of occasions, with McGeady, Doyle and Duff all forcing Giorgallidi into saves on counter attack moves.

However, despite having the bulk of the chances, Ireland can still count themselves somewhat fortunate that they picked up three points given the negative tactics they deployed in the second-half.

Next up for Ireland are home matches with Georgia and Bulgaria before they travel to face Italy.

The Irish fans are sure to settle for more ugly performances as long as the positive results keep coming.

Italy 2-1 Montenegro

Alberto Aquilani struck twice to hand leaders Italy a 2-1 win over a plucky Montenegro in an open game in Lecce.

The midfielder, who replaced Riccardo Montolivo in Italy's only change from Saturday's 0-0 draw in Bulgaria, slid home his first international goal on eight minutes after goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic had parried Simone Pepe's cross.

Mirko Vucinic, who plays in Italy with Roma, brought a talented Montenegro level following a counter attack but Aquilani's deflected effort on the half hour put the world champions back in front.

Italy top the group with 10 points from four games and next travel to Montenegro in March.

Georgia 0-0 Bulgaria

Goalkeeper Georgi Petkov produced a string of fine saves to help Bulgaria secure a 0-0 draw with Georgia.

The home team dominated the first half but failed to capitalise as Giorgi Shashiashvili, Levan Kobiashvili and substitute David Siradze missed good opportunities.

Georgia's Argentine coach Hector Cuper had to bring on Siradze for the injured Levan Mchedlidze 13 minutes before the interval.

Bulgaria coach Plamen Markov was forced to make a first-half substitution for the second successive match when Manchester City winger Martin Petrov limped off with a knee injury.

The visitors came close when Dimitar Berbatov headed wide from close range after a cross by Chavdar Yankov.

Georgia continued to press forward after the break but Beka Gotsiridze's powerful drive was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Petkov, who then did well to parry Giorgi Merebashvili's stunning drive.

The hosts were left to rue their bad luck when Siradze hit the post with five minutes remaining.

Bulgaria, who notched their third consecutive draw, forced a good save from Giorgi Lomaia in the 68th minute after Stanislav Angelov had picked out Stilian Petrov.

Seán Fay / Reuters