Republic of Ireland 1 Slovakia 0: Doyle's deadly finish buys Staunton time

As much through belligerence as belief the Republic of Ireland last night earned the victory that kept alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the European Championships. They also kept manager Steve Staunton in his job.

Beating Slovakia, a side able to carve out chances, was a vast improvement on the soulless defeat of Wales last Saturday and moved them level on points at the top of Group D with Germany and the Czech Republic. But that paints a false picture. The Republic have not only played more matches but have twice faced the whipping boys of San Marino.

Related articles

• Italy 2 Scotland 0: Toni's aerial power brings Scotland back down to earth
• Wales 3 San Marino 0: Giggs opens up San Marino to ease the pain of Croke Park
• Northern Ireland 2 Sweden 1: Sanchez's men go top after Healy continues hot streak

Still, Kevin Doyle's 12th-minute goal plus a crackle of positivity from a revitalised Damien Duff and Paul McShane and substitute Stephen Hunt provided desperately needed encouragement. At times, in the second half, the Republic were hanging on and were indebted to a fine late block from Shay Given, making his 80th appearance and the stand-in captain with Robbie Keane suspended, and a horrendous side-foot over, with the goal beckoning, by the Slovakian substitute Lubomir Michalik.

It was always going to be a defining 90 minutes for Staunton. This was the Republic's final meaningful fixture before September and the result will be chewed over in the intervening months. It is two wins from two at Croke Park without a goal being conceded and Staunton will shove that down his critics' throats.

Not that he was given much opportunity to do so last night. Instead, after the match, Sir Bobby Robson, the Republic's football consultant, held court. "Seeing some of the outrageous remarks and writing in the last few days I felt I should stand by him," the 74-year-old said, barely concealing his annoyance at what is now perceived as a concerted media campaign waged against Staunton. "Hopefully now there will be something intelligent, fair, reasonable. Hopefully now things have settled down. He's got a bit of relief. He won't be hanged. The calls for his execution will be over. For a week at least."

Robson's anger clouds the very truth that the Republic have been playing poorly and that Staunton has looked out of his depth.

Staunton himself gave a brief analysis of proceedings and talked rightly of the "great pace and passion", especially in the first-half, with Duff, in particular, setting the tempo with a series of forceful, effective runs. "And we scored at a vital time when we were on top," Staunton added.

It came after Lee Carsley was clipped and Duff swung in the free-kick. Doyle bravely stole in front of Martin Skrtel and planted his header just inside the near post.

The Reading striker almost reached another Duff cross while goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky gratefully grasped Kevin Kilbane's header after flapping at a corner. But the Slovaks also threatened. Their captain Robert Vittek was a constant lurking danger and was also willing to shoot from distance. Given palmed away one bouncing shot and parried a second.

Jan Kocian, the Slovakian coach, threw on attackers, ending the game with five up front. McShane dived to block Martin Jakubko and then Doyle's replacement Shane Long had a header hacked off the line which should have settled Irish nerves. Instead they jangled a bit more, but Given held on. The relief swept through the stadium. "There's room for improvement," said Staunton. He has bought himself time to fashion it.

Republic of Ireland (4-4-1-1): Given (Newcastle United); O'Shea (Manchester United), Dunne (Manchester City), McShane (West Bromwich), Finnan (Liverpool); McGeady (Celtic), Carsley (Everton), Kilbane (Wigan Athletic), Duff (Newcastle United); Ireland (Manchester City); Doyle (Reading). Substitutes: Hunt (Reading) for Ireland, 70; Long (Reading) for Doyle, 74; A Quinn (Sheff Utd) for McGeady, 87.

Slovakia (4-4-2): Contofalsky (Zenit St Petersburg); Singlar (Slovan Liberec), Skrtel (Zenit St Petersburg), Klimpl (Banik Ostrava), Gresko (Nuremburg); Zofcak (MFK Ruzomberok), Borbely (Kaiserslautern), Sapara (Rosenborg), Svento (Slavia Prague); Vitteck (Nuremburg), Jakubko (Saturn Moscow). Substitutes: Holosko (Vestel Manisaspor) for Sapara, 72; Sestak (MSK Zilina) for Singlar, 80; Michalik (Bolton) for Svento,

Referee: Y Baskakov (Russia)

Man of the match: Shay Given.