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The Republic of Ireland were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Bulgaria in their World Cup Group 8 qualifier at Croke Park.

Richard Dunne swooped with a first-minute header to give the Irish a perfect start but Kevin Kilbane's own-goal 17 minutes from time saw Giovanni Trapottoni's side drop their first home points of the campaign.

Trapottoni maintained his unbeaten record with Ireland in qualifying but that will have been scant consolation for the Italian, who saw his own home nation extend their lead at the top of the group to two points with a 2-0 win in Montenegro.

But, despite the disappointment of the stalemate, second-placed Ireland still retain hope of toppling the Azzurri from top spot in the group if they can produce a victory when the two sides meet in Bari on Wednesday.

The evening may have ended in frustration for the Irish, but it had started in jubliant fashion.

Dunne headed home after just 35 seconds of play following a well delivered free-kick by Stephen Hunt - a replacement for the injured Damien Duff - and John O'Shea's flick on.

But the hosts failed to build on their position of early superiority and it was the visitors who went on to dominate proceedings during the first half, despite the absence through injury of Premier League-based trio Dimitrar Berbatov, Martin Petrov and Valeri Bojinov.

Three times Stanimir Stoilov's side went close to pulling level before half-time, but on each occasion the Bulgarians lacked an end product.

First, Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov brought a save out of Shay Given just three minutes after Dunne's header hit the back of the net, the Bulgaria captain's 25-yard drive forcing the Irish keeper into making a sharp stop.

Then on 28 minutes Given was again called into action, this time to deny Blagoy Georgiev a crisp strike following a lovely passing movement to which the Republic had no answer.

And with 10 minutes remaining in the opening period, Dimitar Rangelov nearly capitalised on an error by Kilbane, but the Energie Cottbus striker could only fire over the bar.

Bulgaria continued to boss the game - at least in terms of possession - after the break, but for the most part Ireland's back line stood firm and Given was left relatively untroubled.

Indeed, the best chances of the second half fell Ireland's way as, on two occasions, they were able to break downfield and threaten to bag a second.

Skipper Robbie Keane saw his close range effort well saved by Dimitar Ivankov on the hour mark before Aiden McGeady, a starter despite pre-match injury concerns, stabbed an effort meekly at the keeper after the ball had been parried into his path.

But there was little surprise when Bulgaria equalised in the 74th minute, the unfortunate Kilbane diverting Petrov's volley back across the face of goal past his own keeper.

Ireland still had enough spirit to launch a late assault on the visitors' goal and they were nearly rewarded with a last-gasp winner, but Keane's curler from a tight angle went wide and Kevin Doyle could only direct a weak header straight at Ivankov deep into injury time.

With that went Ireland's hopes of nicking all three points, as focus firmly turned to Italy for Wednesday night's crunch clash in Bari.

Debutant Giampaolo Pazzini was on target for Italy top in the 2-0 victory over Montenegro.

The Sampdoria forward, who came on for Vincenzo Iaquinta in the second half to make his first international appearance, headed in Simone Pepe's cross for the world champions' second in the 73rd minute.

Midfielder Andrea Pirlo had coolly chipped a penalty into the top corner to give Italy the lead in the 11th minute after handball by Radoslav Batak.

Montenegro had their best chance in the 67th minute when goalkeeper Gianluigi

Cyprus beat Georgia 2-1 at home in the other Group 8 qualifier to climb off the bottom of the group.

Veteran Michael Konstantinou opened the scoring in the 33rd minute after taking a through ball from Chrysostomos Michail to shoot low into the Georgian net.

Dimitris Christofi, making in his seventh appearance for the national side, increased the lead in the 56th minute with a long range shot.

Georgia pulled one back with a penalty in the 71st minute from Levan Kobiashvili, awarded after Beka Gotsiridze was tripped by Michail.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport