Ireland 23 Italy 20:A controversial Ronan O'Gara try deep into injury-time rescued Ireland from an embarrassing defeat to Italy in a bad-tempered World Cup warm-up at Ravenhill.

The Italians, who had controlled the second half, looked on course to register a famous victory when winger Matteo Pratichetti touched down in the 84th minute.

But O'Gara, who had fired a 79th-minute drop goal to nudge Ireland 16-13 ahead before a frantic period of stoppage-time, was awarded the decisive try even though he did not appear to ground the ball properly.

Television match official Derek Bevan consulted replays for several minutes before awarding the dubious score, with several Italy players were furious with the decision.

Ulster centre Andrew Trimble crossed in the first half, capping a promising opening, while the boot of O'Gara completed the Irish score.

Italy's veteran scrum-half Alessandro Troncon - who at the final whistle had to be restrained by team-mates as he sought to confront referee Nigel Owens - ensured the try count finished level with an opportunist effort, while David Bortolussi's kicking did the rest.

Ireland suffered no more injuries to add to a growing casualty list that includes Brian O'Driscoll, Shane Horgan, David Wallace and Stephen Ferris, but there was precious little else to take from the evening.

Belfast has had to wait 53 years to stage an Ireland international and following this dismal display Ravenhill, the home of Ulster, will be in no hurry to host another.

Italy named an experimental side including a few star names such as Alessandro Troncon and skipper Marco Bortolami, but they still won the forward collisions while their defence frustrated Ireland all night.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan was hoping for a morale-boosting display from his side's last match before they depart for the World Cup on September 5 but instead saw a disjointed performance lacking in imagination.

Peter Stringer recovered from a back spasm and started alongside O'Gara for the 50th time - the second longest-serving half-back combination behind Australia's George Gregan and Steven Larkham.

In another milestone, O'Gara became Ireland's most capped fly-half with his 73rd international appearance, eclipsing the mark set by Ulsterman David Humphreys.

The temptation for O'Sullivan to protect O'Gara, the squad's most irreplaceable player, at all costs must be immense but the Munster veteran was in the think of the action early on.

He sent Denis Leamy charging into space in the third minute and the Munster number eight ran 20 yards before finding Denis Hickie.

Hickie had Girvan Dempsey outside him but chose to go it alone and was tied up by the Italian cover.

After cracking with worrying ease so early in the game, Italy's defence had reorganised quickly and Ireland's probing failed to produce the desired results, despite Gordon D'Arcy efforts to straighten the line.

Owens penalised Italy for offside, however, and O'Gara slotted the three points from in front of the posts.

The Ravenhill crowd cheered on home favourite Trimble as he raced in for a try only to realise Owens had already blown for a knock on from Geordan Murphy, made while the Leicester winger collected Stringer's kick in the build-up.

Italy levelled with a magnificent drop goal from full-back Bortolussi, who gathered a loose clearance from O'Gara and lined-up his response which sailed over from the 10-metre line.

A cheap shot from number eight Sergio Parisse on Stringer, who had his back turned as he chased a loose ball, sparked a minor brawl which Owens punished with warnings to Donncha O'Callaghan and Kaine Robertson.

Ulster fans did not have to wait much longer to see Trimble cross for the first try as O'Gara launched a towering kick that Bortolussi completely missed.

The ball bounced kindly for Trimble who gathered and crashed over in the 26th minute with O'Gara adding the conversion to give Ireland a 10-3 lead.

Bortolussi went some way to atoning for his error by replying with a penalty and was then involved as Italy launched a promising attack down the left.

Pratichetti was halted 10 metres short but Italy had won a penalty and Troncon opted to tap and go, scrambling over the line with two Ireland players attached to his body.

Television referee Derek Bevan confirmed the try and when Bortolussi landed the conversion, Italy were 13-10 ahead.

Murphy was prominent as Ireland made a rousing start to the second half and O'Gara punished Azzurri indiscipline with a penalty just moments after directing one routine kick at the right post.

At 13-13 the outcome hung in the balance heading into the final quarter.

O'Gara then made no mistake with a drop-goal which appeared to have won the game.

But Italy struck three minutes into injury-time with Pratichetti taking advantage of a kind bounce and a fumble from Dempsey to cross under the posts.

Roland De Marigny slotted the conversion but there was still time for the lead to change hands once again with O'Gara's dubious touchdown.