Gary Doherty nodded home a Kevin Kilbane free-kick

The win on Wednesday keeps the Irish on course to qualify for Euro 2004.

Victories in their remaining two qualifiers against Russia and Switzerland in the autumn will guarantee Brian Kerr's team a place at the finals in Portugal.

"We got a lot of stick on Saturday - even though we got the result - but tonight I think we got the rustiness out," said Doherty, who notched Ireland's opening goal.

Match report: Ireland 2-0 Georgia

"It's about three weeks since we last played in the Premiership - and that's a long time not to play.

"But we got the performance tonight and the result - and full credit to us."

Brian Kerr has turned around Ireland's fortunes in Group 10 to a huge extent.

I thought Colin Healy played very well Brian Kerr

After claiming their third win from his four competitive matches in charge, they now have a chance of overhauling leaders Switzerland and going to Portugal as group winners.

Doherty added: "We'll go into those games full of confidence and see how it goes."

Manager Kerr felt his side had got their "deserved reward for a smashing team effort".

He added: "I was particularly happy with the second half and the way we controlled the ball and created a few chances.

"We limited them to outside the box stuff.

"I thought Colin Healy played very well and Lee Carsley worked as hard as he always does.

Fringe men impress

"Big Gary Doherty got a goal and was a handful for them.

"We've won three and drawn one of our last four games which is a decent haul of points.

"It puts us back in the running although Switzerland are obviously still the favourites after their good win over Albania."

Kerr went into the game minus the injured Damien Duff and the team showed three changes from Saturday's scrappy win over Albania.

He added: "What pleased me was the fact that some of the players who have been fringe players, and who haven't had much opportunity, were thrown into a big match tonight and did their stuff."