MIDDLESBROUGH defender Sean St Ledger admitted that he thought he had scored Ireland’s winning goal in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Italy.

The player on loan at the Riverside from Preston North End until January cemented his reputation for notching vital goals when he powered home a diving header from Stephen Hunt’s free-kick. But substitute Alberto Gilardino’s injury time equaliser ensured Ireland’s only route to South Africa lies in the play-offs.

Despite their impressive performance against the current World Cup holders, St Ledger confirmed the mood in the Ireland dressing room was sombre after the 2-2 score ended his team’s chances of automatic qualification.

“Everyone’s majorly disappointed in the changing room,” said the 24-year old who has already scored twice for Boro since he arrived on Teesside.

“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.

‘It is great to score for your country, especially the first one, but it is disappointing to concede so late in the game. If we wanted automatic qualification we had to win the game. That’s what all the boys wanted and it feels like a major loss because we did draw. They are a great team, but getting so close makes the feeling worse.”

St Ledger is in the Ireland squad facing Montenegro in midweek before he returns to Middlesbrough for their Championship encounter at home to Watford on Saturday.

■ A last gasp strike from Victor Obinna kept Nigeria’s slim hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals alive after they stole all the points with a 1-0 win over Mozambique.