Gilardino struck in the final minute of normal time just as it looked as though Sean St Ledger's 87th-minute header had blown the race for automatic qualification from World Cup European Group Eight wide open.

Ireland, who were already guaranteed a play-off spot thanks to Cyprus' win over Bulgaria earlier, had taken the lead through Glenn Whelan's eighth-minute strike, but Mauro Camoranesi levelled with 26 minutes gone as the reigning champions booked their ticket to South Africa.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni urged his team to learn from their painful lesson.

Trapattoni said: "Our aim was to win, but in the last three minutes, we needed experience.

"We are a young team and this is an important lesson for us. We must learn from it.

"Yes, I am disappointed. Italy probably deserved a goal, but that's not the point.

"I'm upset, not because I know the work that has to be done, but because we let a goal in so late."

St Ledger admitted his side's frustration despite holding Italy to a draw for the second time in their group.

The Middlesbrough defender told Sky Sports 2: "Everyone's majorly disappointed in the changing room. It just feels like a loss, having scored so late in the game and then conceding like that.

"Emotions are probably setting in, we're probably not thinking logically, but if there is a positive we gave the world champions a run for their money and we're undefeated in the group."

Republic defender John O'Shea added on Sky Sports 2: "It feels like a defeat.

"We've scored some great goals and let it slip, and it's that little bit of concentration at the vital times. It's hugely disappointing.

"We were playing the world champions and we were two or three minutes away from a win, so we know whoever we get in the play-offs we are more than capable of winning."

Italy boss Marcello Lippi felt his side deserved their point, and was delighted to have clinched qualification with Wednesday's home clash with Cyprus still to come.

He said: "This is the third time Italy have qualified for the World Cup one match before the end of the qualifying campaign.

"We did it in 1982 and 2006 and this could be a sign of good luck.

"I'm particularly satisfied because it was an excellent match and we showed excellent spirit and good authority.