Hunt backs Staunton

Stephen Hunt insists the players will rally behind under-pressure manager Steve Staunton following Ireland's latest European Championship embarrassment.

Staunton potentially came within eight seconds of losing his job last night as whipping boys San Marino almost conjured the greatest result in their history.

San Marino had lost all 37 of their previous European Championship qualifiers, yet when Manuel Marini cancelled out Kevin Kilbane's opener six minutes from time, their first point was on the cards.

However, they were denied by Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland who tapped home from close range in the dying moments of the four minutes added on for injuries.

The relief was palpable, but the recriminations have probably only just started as angry supporters called for the head of Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney.

As the man who appointed untried and untested Staunton - despite his heroic status as a player - after promising "a world-class manager," he now finds himself in the firing line.

The current situation is a difficult one to face for a new player such as Hunt, who made his debut as a 74th-minute substitute for Ian Harte at the Serravalle Stadium.

"It's about staying together, rallying together and looking ahead to the games at Croke Park," said the Reading midfielder referring to the double-header against Wales and Slovakia at the end of next month.

"We know last night was disappointing, and how disappointed the fans are, but we got the three points. Now it's about winning those two games at home.

"When you go to a new stadium there's always a buzz. We're looking forward to it because there will be an unbelievable atmosphere.

"We know come three o'clock on the Saturday we face Wales the fans will be behind us."

However, that was not the case last night as they turned on Delaney in particular, and now only two good performances and results will surely retrieve the situation.

"When Stephen scored it was sheer relief. We're not going to kid ourselves," added Hunt.

"But last night we were in a lose-lose situation. If we had won 10-0 we wouldn't have been praised, and in winning 2-1 we know we're going to get hammered.

"It was frustrating playing against a team who packed the defence. It was just a matter of trying to break them down.

"We maybe expected to be a few goals up at half time, but when you are not, there's nothing you can do about it. After we got the first goal we should have scored from a few of the other chances we created after that.

"When it then went to 1-1 we knew we had to pick ourselves up, and thankfully we got the result in the end.

"To get that goal in the last minute, my heart skipped a few beats to be honest with you."

Staunton insists he will not stand down, nor will Delaney resign, so it is a case of bumbling along until the March matches.

The pressure is on to claim maximum points, though, as Hunt said: "The gaffer has told us to go to Croke Park and win those games.

"It's important we do. The reality is we have to win them and go from there."