BARI (Italy) - ROBBIE Keane made a successful return to Italy as his close range strike three minutes from time earned Ireland a 1-1 draw against 10-man defending champions Italy in a World Cup qualifier here Wednesday.

Former Inter Milan striker Keane's last gasp equaliser rewarded the Irish for a gutsy performance that was rich in endeavour.

Ireland's popular Italian manager Giovanni Trapattoni said a draw was a fair result. 'I think over the 90 minutes a draw is the right result because we were playing 11 against 10,' he said.

'During this time we had the best chances to win the game but after it went to 1-0 it was very difficult to score a goal because the Italian defenders and the Italy team are famous for being the best defenders in the world.' Vincenzo Iaquinta's 11th-minute goal looked to have given Italy an unlikely win after they had to play virtually the entire match with a numerical disadvantage.

The draw left Italy top of Group Eight but Ireland will be feeling confident as they pegged the gap to the world champions at two points.

It could have been worse for Italy as Giampaolo Pazzini, making his first start for the national team, became the quickest player to be sent off in an Italy shirt.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who was jeered by the home fans before kick-off because he didn't select local boy Antonio Cassano in his squad, said the sending off was unfair.

'Pazzini jumped up with his arms out but he didn't swing them or make any action with them but because of this we had to play 90 minutes with 10 against 11.

'Despite that we fought hard and scored. We were under very little threat until they scored but playing 90 minutes a man down on this pitch is tough.

'It was obvious we would suffer at the end of the game but we conceded because of a moment of poor concentration. We've played many other times with 10 men but for 30 minutes or 10 minutes, not for 90 minutes, that's tough.' -- AFP