Then, with two of the five stoppage time minutes gone, Ireland won a throw-in after the Albanians kicked the ball out to allow one of their players to receive treatment.

It had been an ill-tempered atmosphere and instead of giving the ball back to the Albanians, the Irish went on the attack and snatched all three points when Gary Doherty’s cross was sliced into his own net by Ardian Aliaj to send the Dublin crowd wild with delight.

With Switzerland and Russia drawing 2-2 in the group’s other match yesterday, the qualifying race is wide open again. The Swiss are out in front with nine points while Ireland and Russia both have seven – but the Russians have yet to come to Lansdowne Road.

Brian Kerr’s men now look forward to the visit of Georgia on Wednesday, and are determined to follow up yesterday’s win with another three points.

Captain Kenny Cunningham said: “I think we deserved it. We showed character and the manager made some bold substitutions and it was great to get it right at the death.

“We’ve been caught out late in games before like in Macedonia, so hopefully we’ve made up for that today – but it will count for nothing if we don’t go out and win against Georgia on Wednesday.

Ipswich midfielder Matt Holland said: “Before the game we would have taken three points no matter how it came.

“I think on the balance of play I think we deserved it, we had most of the ball and most of the chances. It was nice to see that one go in.

“It didn’t look like it was going to happen but Gary (Doherty) came on and we started knocking the ball longer. We kept putting the ball in the box and eventually it worked when fortunately we got the ricochet and it went into the back of the net.

“We have taken seven points from nine this year and it’s by no means done and dusted. There’s a long way to go. We’ve got to get the win on Wednesday to set up the last two games.”

Goalkeeper Shay Given summed up the relief when the late winner went in as he said: “The reaction to the goal was something special. If the gate was open I would have run out on to the road.

“It was one of the latest goals we’ve ever scored I think. It reminded us of the goal against Germany at the World Cup but over the course of the game, I thought we deserved it.”

After losing their opening Euro 2004 qualifiers under Mick McCarthy, Kerr’s boys are back on track for Portugal next summer and their fate is now back in their own hands as the home games against Albania and Russia are followed by a trip to Switzerland to complete the campaign.

The only worry from yesterday was a slight hamstring injury for Damien Duff, who shone in a free role behind the two strikers.

He will be a doubt for Wednesday, but waiting in the wings is Millwall’s Steven Reid, who came off the bench to complete his comeback from a long injury lay-off.

“It’s just good to be back from my injury,” said Reid. “If Duffer isn’t fit enough to play it will be a massive blow for us but if that means I’m asked to go from the start then I will be ready.

“If we can get another three on Wednesday it will put us right in it.”