Tottenham Hotspur striker Neale Fenn eased the frustration of the team and then put some gloss on an unconvincing win for the Republic of Ireland under-21s in this Group Eight qualifier at Dalymount Park last night.

Fenn scored twice, the second in second half injury time, as Ireland struggled desperately in front of goal against what could only be described as an exceptionally weak Lithuanian team.

Ireland have little or no chance of catching unbeaten group leaders Romania, but the players set about their task gamely from the kick-off.

The Lithuanians defended in depth, with five across the back. And they had a reasonably good goalkeeper, in Pavel Leus. Willie Boland's powerful 20-yard drive from Stephen Finnan's free-kick, which forced the first of last of four unfruitful corners, was the closest a totally dominant Ireland came to getting an early reward for their efforts.

Rory Delap brought the first real save from Leus in the 24th minute, who did well to tip over a crisply-struck shot from the edge of the box. On 28 minutes, Delap was unlucky as his goal-bound shot, following great work again by Kilbane and then Fenn, was bravely blocked by a defender. Delap's first half ended with a booking, for a tackle from behind on Lithuanian midfielder Mantas Samusiovas, which keeps him out of the next match with Iceland. The Irishman had to leave the field seven minutes into the second-half with, apparently, a dead leg.

Ireland got their first goal on 55 minutes from the second of two successive corners. Dave Worrell flicked on Kilbane's kick and Fenn arrived to head home from 10 yards.

Ireland survived Lithuania's only serious attack of the match two minutes later when Worrell did well to get his body in the way of a fiercely-struck shot from Darius Sonajovas.

As the game entered injury time, Fenn's opportunism brought the second goal when he beat Leus with a delightful chip from 20 yards.