'ONE ARM' BANDITS

Ferguson keeps World Cup hopes alive at Aviva

- Paul O'HEHIR

IRELAND boss Heimir Hallgrimsson believes his troops can still take World Cup qualification to the wire.

Evan Ferguson headed a winner as the Boys in Green saw off Armenia 1-0 in a must-win game at Aviva Stadium last night.

But Hungary scored an injury-time equaliser away to Portugal to move a point clear of Ireland in the table.

Should Hungary win in Armenia next month, Ireland will be out of the running going to Budapest on the final day if they lose at home to Portugal in their penultimate game.

Favour

But Hallgrimsson insists Ireland can pinch a point off Portugal, and isn't ruling out a favour from Armenia in Yerevan either, when they host Hungary next month.

"It doesn't really change anything," said the Ireland boss of Hungary's late goal.