Despite seeing Giampaolo Pazzini harshly sent off after four minutes, only a last-gasp Robbie Keane goal gave Ireland a 1-1 draw in Bari. Vincenzo Iaquinta's strike looked set to win it before the Tottenham striker scored in the final minute.

Giovanni Trapattoni returned to face his home nation for the first time and needed a boost after the 1-1 home draw with Bulgaria. Marcello Lippi's confidence was high, as a win here would send the Azzurri five points clear at the top of Group 8 following their 2-0 victory away to Montenegro.

Giampaolo Pazzini scored on his debut and received his first start, aided in part by Antonio Di Natale's injury, moving Vincenzo Iaquinta to the left. Matteo Brighi came in for Angelo Palombo and Simone Pepe replaced Udinese teammate Fabio Quagliarella in the only other changes. Ireland missed Aiden McGeady and Damien Duff, so had to transform their flanks.

As expected, there were many pro-Antonio Cassano banners from the fans in his hometown, but no protests or jeers aimed at Lippi for not picking the Bari hero.

Kevin Kilbane was fortunate to avoid a booking in the opening minute for a late tackle on Pazzini, then moments later the Sampdoria striker was shown a straight red card! He jumped for with John O'Shea and caught the defender on the eyebrow with his arm, but was watching the ball, so it is a very harsh decision to consider that violent play. Pazzini became the first Italy player to be sent off since Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup against Australia.

Forced to play with 10 men for 86 minutes, Lippi switched to a 4-4-1 system with Iaquinta the centre-forward. The red card didn't let the Azzurri's heads drop, as they took the lead. A chipped Andrea Pirlo pass was chested down by Fabio Grosso, who cut back behind McShane for Iaquinta to tap in undisturbed from five yards. It was only his second ever Italy goal - the other being in the 2006 World Cup.

Stephen Hunt went on a strong run into the box before he was cut off smartly by Giorgio Chiellini. Trapattoni made a tactical attacking change, introducing Hull striker Caleb Folan for winger Keogh.

Pirlo's inspired pass for Pepe was crossed back over Iaquinta and an acrobatic Fabio Cannavaro clearance prevented danger from a corner. Robbie Keane drilled well over from distance and Grosso cut off Whelan's counter from a poor Italy free kick. The ball ricocheted into Andrews' path just inside the area, but he shinned it well wide.

Italy nearly had a second on the half-hour mark when Pirlo again combined with Grosso for a cross that Shay Given only flapped off Iaquinta's head. Pepe came sliding in at the back post, but the angle was too narrow and he could only hit the side-netting.

This time Grosso created the pass for Pirlo, forcing Given to rush off his line. All of Italy's moves were down that left channel between the World Cup winners and Grosso's volley stung Given's palms, although it wouldn't have counted due to an offside position.

Approaching half-time Hunt forced a fantastic save out of Gigi Buffon. The ball bounced in the D and his half-volley was swooping under the bar before Buffon palmed it out with his trailing hand.

Lippi made a tactical switch at the break, introducing the grittier Palombo in midfield for Pirlo. A splendid Gianluca Zambrotta sliding tackle cut short a Kilbane counter-attack, while Darren Gibson replaced Andrews and Liverpool's Andrea Dossena came on for Pepe.

Doyle threaded through for Hunt, who tumbled over Buffon, but the penalty appeals were waved away as the Irishman had already prodded the ball out of play.

Ireland were piling on the pressure against 10-man Italy now and N Hunt replaced Doyle. A dangerous low Kilbane cross came into the middle, but Cannavaro was able to clear. McShane was booked for dissent following a harsh decision for a foul on Iaquinta. The free kick was curled wide, but Chiellini felt he had been brought down.

Folan's hopeful effort was deflected out for a corner and Chiellini charged another dangerous cross out. Iaquinta was also booked for dissent and De Rossi was carded for a late tackle, so the Roma midfielder will be suspended for the next qualifier against Georgia.

Whelan went charging towards the area when he latched on to a loose ball and was hacked down by Chiellini, but the referee played the advantage. Ireland strung together corners in the final stages, as the 10-man Azzurri visibly tired, yet it was almost 2-0. Iaquinta went from his own half on a blazing counter-attack to rush past Stephen Hunt and the cross for Dossena was deflected just enough to put the Liverpool man off.

Moments later Keane controlled with his back to goal and passed to Kilbane, but Buffon's fingertips pushed the rising drive over the bar.

Ireland equalised in the final minute with classic route-one football. A long goal kick was flicked on by Folan for Keane to volley in from nine yards. The Italian defence was caught out by the flick-on and Keane's quick reaction.

Fabio Quagliarella replaced Iaquinta for stoppages, but Ireland threatened again with Whelan's effort deflected over the bar. The consequent corner was chaotic and ricocheted around the box to loop over a stunned Buffon and out for another set play. Another Keane shot from a Folan flick was over the bar in the final kick of the game.

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Brighi, Pirlo (Palombo 46), De Rossi; Pepe (Dossena 55), Pazzini, Iaquinta (Quagliarella 90)

Republic of Ireland: Given; McShane, Dunne, O'Shea, Kilbane; Keogh (Folan 22), Whelan, Andrews (Gibson 54), S Hunt; Doyle (N Hunt 63), Keane

Ref: Stark (Ger)

Sent off: Pazzini 4 (I)

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