Steve Finnan struck deep into injury-time to save the Republic of Ireland from one of the worst home defeats in their history - but it may not be enough to save Steve Staunton his job.
Staunton's reign surely lay in tatters after another inept performance against the Group D minnows who looked set for a shock win when Stelios Okkarides headed home ten minutes from time.
Finnan lashed home the equaliser three minutes into added time, before Cypriot Marios Ilia was sent off during fierce protests from the visitors.
But the final whistle brought deafening boos from the Croke Park fans.
Staunton and captain Robbie Keane had spoken of the desire for revenge in the build-up to this clash after the Republic's humiliating 5-2 defeat in Nicosia a year ago.
The pressure had mounted on the Irish boss ever since that night and he was well aware he required victory - and an impressive one at that - to placate the growing army of critics who believed he should be relieved of his duties.
With Andy Reid, so impressive in Saturday's goalless draw against Germany, recovering from an ankle injury and Paul McShane and Stephen Hunt starting after suspension, Staunton had reason to start positively.
The reshuffled Irish side - with Joey O'Brien shunted into midfield to make room for McShane - did just that with both Kevin Doyle and Reid hitting shots which tested Cyprus goalkeeper Antonis Georgallides.
In the tenth minute the Republic missed a superb chance when Doyle played low cross across the Cypriot six-yard box but McShane just failed to get the touch which would have brought a decisive goal.
Captain Keane wriggled through the visiting defence in the 15th minute and looked set for a shot on goal before a superb saving challenge from Alexandros Garpozis allowed the ball to run back to his goalkeeper.
But as the minutes ticked by the home crowd grew increasingly frustrated with their side and with Cyprus growing in confidence Yiasoumis Yiasoumis twice narrowly failed to get on the end of crosses.
The Republic got the crowd back on side in the 29th minute after Finnan charged down the right flank in acres of space before crossing for Keane, whose firm header was superbly saved by Georgallides.
Cyprus came close to snatching the lead in the 32nd minute when Yiasoumis was played through in the box but, as if surprised by his sudden opportunity, stabbed a golden chance straight at Given.
Moments later he came even closer with a header inches wide from a Constantinos Charalampidis cross, and although the linesman belatedly flagged for offside it did little to placate the angry home fans.
And Cyprus came close to causing embarrassment again two minutes before the break when Hunt's attempted punt towards the box ricocheted off a visiting player and sent three Cyprus players racing clear over the halfway line.
With Given charging out of his goal in a vain bid to reach the ball first, Marios Nikolau spotted his chance but scuffed his attempted long distance lob and the ball flew well wide of target.
Staunton was under pressure to inspire his side to make a good start to the second half but instead Cyprus kept up the pressure and Marios Nikolau broke clear - only to see his shot beat Given but hit the outside of the post.
The inconsistent home side created a fine chance of their own in the 55th minute when Reid, who was trying his hardest to break his deadlock, found Hunt whose header flashed inches wide of target.
Keane missed the best chance to finally break the deadlock in the 75th minute when he jumped highest to meet a perfect Doyle cross from the left but sent his powerful header inches wide.
And the Irish nightmare appeared to be realised in the 80th minute when Makridis crossed from the left and Okkarides rose unchallenged in the Irish box to head the ball past Given.
It was left to Finnan to supply the late drama with virtually the last kick of the game - but the likelihood is it will have been too little, too late to save his manager's job.
