Damien Duff scored Ireland's opener in the 18th minute

Uefa will investigate crowd trouble that marred the Republic of Ireland's 2-1 win over Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday.

A Uefa statement made special mention of an incident when Ireland's Kevin Kilbane was hit by a knife thrown from the crowd.

"We have already examined the referees' report, which does refer in particular to an incident involving a pen-knife," said Uefa public affairs director Mike Lee.

"Uefa will refer this matter to our disciplinary body for further action to be considered".

Kilbane said he was struck on the arm by an open pen-knife during the Euro 2004 qualifier.

The incident came moments before Georgia scored in the 61st minute to cancel out Damien Duff's 18th-minute goal.

Also during the game, Gary Breen was hit by a ball bearing, Duff was struck by a plastic drinks bottle and a glass vodka bottle smashed against Shay Given's post.

"It was a six-inch pen-knife and it was open," said a stunned Kilbane.

You expect an intimidating atmosphere but that was serious Kevin Kilbane

"It hit me on the arm and I didn't realise what it was until I picked it up.

"When it fell on the floor it was open. I couldn't believe it really and I have never experienced anything like it before.

"You expect an intimidating atmosphere but that was serious - thank God it wasn't more serious".

Despite the intimidation his players suffered, boss Brian Kerr savoured Saturday's success which breathed life back into the country's Euro 2004 challenge.

Kerr said that his side "thoroughly deserved" the 2-1 victory.

"We were the better side," said Kerr.

"We made the clearcut chances although we had a sticky patch in the middle of the second half.

"Their goalkeeper made two or three fantastic saves and Lee Carsley's chance early in the second half could have wrapped the game up.

There's still a long road ahead but hopefully we can get another good result against Albania Brian Kerr

"Probably if Damien Duff's headed chance had come to someone else, we would have had another goal as well.

"But in the last quarter of an hour we began to pick it up again so we deserved the victory".

Kerr added that he would have been disappointed if his charges had only earned a point.

"We weren't under severe pressure at any stage although they did move around the ball well in the second half".

Kerr revealed that before the game he had reminded Gary Doherty of his scoring feat in a youth game against Georgia in 1999.

"I told him that he had scored two goals against them in the European Youth Finals in 1999.

"He had forgotten about those goals but I asked him to give me a goal tonight.

"There's still a long road ahead but hopefully we can get another good result against Albania on Wednesday".