Italy 1 New Zealand 1: Italy recover after ex-Halifax striker Smeltz's early blow

A controversialLY-awarded penalty scored by Vincenzo Iaquinta spared champions Italy from World Cup embarrassment against New Zealand yesterday.

The Juventus forward hauled Italy level following a debatable decision after former Halifax Town striker Shane Smeltz had handed New Zealand a shock early lead at the Mbombela Stadium.

Italy dominated a F contest thereafter but could not find their way past outstanding goalkeeper Mark Paston again.

The surprise result keeps alive New Zealand's hopes of reaching the second round for the first time in their history and leaves Italy with much still to do.

The All Whites, buoyant after their last-gasp equaliser against Slovakia, made the perfect start as Smeltz crept into the box to give them a seventh-minute lead.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi had warned New Zealand's greatest threat would come from set-pieces and his side were caught out as Simon Elliott swung in a free-kick from the left.

The ball dipped over Alberto Gilardino and Leo Bertos and wrong-footed Fabio Cannavaro, who could only divert it into the path of Smeltz.

The Gold Coast forward, who has also played for Mansfield and AFC Wimbledon, gleefully accepted the chance and poked the ball past second-choice goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, stand-in for the injured Gianluigi Buffon.

New Zealand were incensed when Rory Fallon was booked for catching Cannavaro in the face and replays did suggest contact had been minimal.

Italy complained soon after when Fallon's elbow appeared to connect with Giorgio Chiellini but this time Guatemalan referee Carlos Batres was lenient.

New Zealand were caught out after 28 minutes as Daniele de Rossi went down in the area after the slightest of shirt pulls from Ipswich defender Tommy Smith.

The Kiwis complained about the decision but Iaquinta stepped up to convert from the spot, much to Italian relief.

After surviving sustained pressure after the interval, Kiwi substitute Chris Wood, of West Brom, almost caught Italy off guard on a rare counter-attack eight minutes from time but shot across goal.

In a frantic finish Mauro Camoranesi then tested Paston from long range and Ryan Nelsen blocked well from Iaquinta as New Zealand held on for a famous draw.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert hailed the result as one of the greatest in his country's sporting history.

Herbert said: "I think it has stopped the nation. I think it is the most incredible result we've had. I know it is early in the morning in New Zealand but I think there will be a lot of excitement back home.

"It's more than anything we have achieved in the history of the game. I think it will be embraced enormously."

The surprise result kept alive New Zealand's hopes of qualifying for the second round for the first time in their history.

They face Paraguay in their final game on Thursday knowing that a win will take them through. Herbert added: "A lot of people felt we shouldn't be in the World Cup or felt the way we qualified was easy. You can write your stories now.

"I don't think anyone remotely gave us a chance. We are doing okay for a team that supposedly has some amateurs and shouldn't be in the World Cup."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi said: "We hit the woodwork once and went close. But it was not enough.

"We dominated but we did not create enough goalscoring opportunities. I don't know why."