UPDATE 1-Soccer-Struggling Bulgaria held to 1-1 draw by Ireland

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By Angel Krasimirov

SOFIA, June 6 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's hopes of reaching the World Cup finals were dented after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ireland in a Group Eight qualifier on Saturday.

Ireland went ahead when defender Richard Dunne rose unmarked to head past Dimitar Ivankov after 24 minutes having connected with Stephen Hunt's floated free kick from the left.

Bulgaria immediately went in search of an equaliser but Martin Petrov's thunderous shot flew just over the bar.

They did level the scores five minutes later, though, when Dimitar Telkiyski latched on to a long pass from Croatian-born Igor Tomasic and calmly slotted home.

Both teams remain unbeaten but Bulgaria's fifth draw of the campaign means they must rely on other results going their way.

Italy top the standings with 14 points from six matches, followed by Ireland with 13 from seven games. Bulgaria are third with eight points. The top three are still undefeated.