Hamburg  - Ireland on Wednesday were helped by a dubious penalty to come from behind to beat Georgia 2-1 in a European World Cup Group 8 qualifier played in Dublin.

In other European qualifiers played on the night Northern Ireland moved into second place in Group 3 with a 3-0 victory in San Marino, while Albania played to a goalless draw in Malta.

In Dublin, Alexander Iashvili gave the visitors the lead after just 46 seconds when Irish defender Stephen Kelly failed to stop the Karlsruhe striker from getting to the ball five metres from the goal- line.

Keith Andrews thought he had given the home side an equalizer midway through the first half, but Finnish referee Jouni Hyytia ruled that an Irish player had impeded goalkeeper Giorgi Lomaia from an offside position.

Hyytia gifted the home side a goal in the 73rd minute when he ruled that a Georgian defender had handled the ball in the area, even though his assistant had his flag up for offside.

Hyytia waved all Georgian protestations away and captain Robbie Keane made no mistake from the spot.

The Tottenham striker gave Ireland a second just five minutes later to move the Irish to second place in the group on 10 points, equal to Italy and keep their dream of qualifying for the finals in 2010 in South Africa alive.

In Serravalle, Gareth McAuley gave Northern Ireland an ideal start with the opener in the sixth minute. Grant McCann scored a second for his side in the 32nd minute, before Chris Brunt found a third for the visitors midway through the second half.

Northern Ireland are now second with seven points from five games in Group 3, two points behind Slovakia.

The goalless draw in Group 1 between Albania and Malta saw Malta remain rooted to the bottom of the group, with Albania just one place better. dpa