The Republic of Ireland again failed to take a decisive grip on their World Cup destiny following a bitter and fractious 2-2 draw with Israel.
After conceding a last-minute equaliser in Tel Aviv just over two months ago when the teams last met, on this occasion they threw away a two-goal lead in the Group Four clash at Lansdowne Road.
Greek referee Kyros Vassaras and Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Awat were the figures who took centre stage, notably the latter getting Andy O'Brien sent off, after Ian Harte and Robbie Keane had blazed the early trail by the 11th minute.
Ireland should perhaps have gone ahead inside three minutes, however Vassaras lacked the courage of his convictions and opted not to point to the spot when Keane was clipped in the area by Ariel Benado.
Vassaras clearly looked to his assistant to make the decision, but he remained unmoved, much to the angst of the injured Keane who was then a spectator as his and the Republic's disappointment was shortlived.
When Adoram Keisi fouled Kevin Kilbane seven yards outside the area, it allowed left-back Harte to step up and underline his inclusion as a deadball specialist, an area where Ireland failed miserably during the 1-1 draw in Tel Aviv just over two months ago.
With recognised right-backs Stephen Carr and Steve Finnan ruled out through suspension and injury respectively, Kerr was forced to switch John O'Shea from the left, resulting in Harte ending his 13-month international exile.
Harte's left foot did the trick, for although his delivery lacked pace, it was ideally placed as Awat could do nothing more than push it onto the post, allowing the former Leeds player to celebrate his 10th goal for Ireland.
This time, unlike in Israel when Kerr was accused of being conservative in his approach after taking an early lead in that game, Ireland pushed forward and were rewarded with a second goal in the 11th minute.
It exuded quality as Andy Reid fashioned a ball from inside the centre circle in behind the Israeli defence and onto the right foot of Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer in Keane who cushioned a volley beyond a stranded Awat for the 25th goal for his country.
A 34,000 sell-out crowd roared its approval, and they believed they had a third in the 25th minute when Keane tapped home after Awat had saved a Clinton Morrison drive, only for the flag to be raised.
As turning points go, it could not have been more significant as that proved Keane's last action of the game, with the Spurs striker making way for Graham Kavanagh, seemingly as a result of the knock he received early in the game.
A reshuffle followed as Kilbane was moved out wide to the left, with Damien Duff sitting in behind Morrison, but even then Ireland continued to look comfortable, and by the 39th minute Shay Given had yet to be tested.
That all changed, though, in the blink of an eye as Kerr's side were caught out from a deadball situation, with Yossi Benayoun delivering a left-wing free-kick just inside the area where Avi Yehiel crowned his debut with a 16-yard header that gave Given no chance.
Then in injury time drama ensued as Vassaras stepped into the spotlight, initially by penalising O'Shea for holding Benayoun as former Everton midfielder Idan Tal delivered a cross into the area.
Vassaras pointed to the spot and booked O'Shea before captain Avi Nimni rifled home the equaliser, albeit with a twice-taken penalty as the Greek official spotted encroachment into the area at the first time of asking.
If there was a sense of injustice, then Ireland attempted to right the wrongs with an all-out assault during the second half, but they reckoned without Vassaras who steadily lost control as the period wore on.
Yellow cards were dished out like confetti as the game boiled over, notably for the play-acting antics of the Israelis as players dropped like flies, in particular Awat who was booed at one point for his timewasting.
It meant chances were fleeting, with two of the most notable coming via corners from Kavanagh, in particular the first in the 48th minute.
The ball flew through the area to the far post, only to hit an unsuspecting Duff on his left ear, with the rebound falling into the arms of a grateful Awat.
The second 11 minutes from time found Gary Doherty, on for Reid in the 65th minute and pushed up front as Kerr went for broke, but his awkward header ended
a yard wide of the right-hand post.
After Awat superbly saved at the feet of Duff, he then feigned being hit in the face by O'Brien who had pushed the goalkeeper in the chest, resulting in a shocking 83rd-minute red card, one Ireland will surely appeal against.
There followed a remarkable seven minutes of injury time such had been the antics of Awat, who was eventually booked during that period - one of six Israelis cautioned in the game.
Unfortunately during that period, Morrison missed an open goal from a Duff pass into the six-yard box, while Ireland were denied three seemingly clear penalty appeals.
