Ireland were leading Bulgaria 1-0 at Croke Park and had a top-two finish in Group Eight within their grasp when Kilbane, winning his 94th senior cap, unwittingly diverted Stiliyan Petrov's driven cross into his own net.

The 74th-minute goal proved enough to secure a fourth successive draw for Stanimir Stoilov's side, who nevertheless remain seven points adrift of the Republic.

With Italy, who entertain the Irish in Bari on Wednesday night, having established a two-point lead with a 2-0 win in Montenegro this evening, Kilbane's involuntary contribution proved costly.

However, asked if Kilbane could have done better, Trapattoni said: "I don't blame Kilbane for what happened. It was an accident.

"He did not have time to react. He was trying to stop the ball, but there was not much that he could do."

The equaliser came as a massive blow to Ireland, who got off to the perfect start when defender Richard Dunne headed John O'Shea's flick-on past keeper Dimitar Invankov with just 40 seconds gone.

It was the defender's first goal for his country since October 2006 and for so long, it looked like earning Ireland a fourth win in five qualifiers.

Shay Given had to pull off two fine first-half saves from Petrov and Blagoy Gerogiev, but after surviving a tricky first half and a ragged start to the second, the Republic threatened to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Ivankov pulled off a fine stop to deny Keane on the hour, and then atoned for a dreadful punch by keeping out Aiden McGeady's side-footed effort from the rebound.

But Ireland were made to pay for those missed opportunities with 16 minutes remaining when Petrov recycled substitute Radostin Kishishev's deep cross beyond the far post and Kilbane supplied the finishing touch.

Keane and Kevin Doyle both missed good chances in a frantic conclusion, and Trapattoni later admitted a lack of calmness in front of goal had cost his side.

He said: "With a little bit of calm in front of the goalkeeper, we could have scored a goal.

"Doyle had a header in the last minute - okay, he was tired - and Robbie, we had two players in the middle and he shot for goal.

"We were anxious in that situation. We could have scored a goal if we had been calm.

"We need to stay calm in those situations."

Trapattoni and his players have little time to re-group before they head for Italy and a match which before tonight had looked like having a major say in which of the two sides would top the group.

However, the Italian, whose second-placed side remains seven points clear of Bulgaria, was not too downhearted at the result.

He said: "We could have won, but I am not disappointed because I know that Bulgaria have many, many players that can cause problems.

"We should think that we are in a good position. We are second behind Italy, who are the champions of the world.

"I am happy, because if it is not possible to win, you have to make sure that you do not lose.

"Bulgaria are a strong team and I am happy that they stay seven points behind us."

Stoilov too was a satisfied man as his side retained their unbeaten record in the group.

He said: "I said before the game that it was better for us to win, if we want to qualify, but we still have a chance with this result.

"It will be much better for us in June when Ireland come to Bulgaria.

"We will have players like Dimitar Berbatov back and that is important to us, but the most important game for us now is Cyprus and we need to get three points from that game."