The Republic of Ireland have recorded their second win of the World Cup qualifying group stages with a 4-1 victory over the Faroe Islands.

Giovanni Trapattoni's men were looking to bounce back from their 6-1 humilation at the hands of Germany on Friday but were frustrated in a first half of few chances.

The hosts made it to the break all square, but within a minute of the restart Ireland got the opener through Marc Wilson's effort.

This lead was doubled seven minutes later as Wilson was again instrumental, this time turning provider to set up Jonathan Walters, who made no mistake with his header.

However, the group's minnows weren't prepared to go down without a fight and pulled a goal back with just over 20 minutes left when Jonas Tor Naes found Arnbjorn Hansen, who nodded home to bring his side back into the match.

Any hope of a shock comeback was all but extinguished five minutes later, however, as Pol Johannus Justinussen diverted the ball into his own net to restore Ireland's two-goal cushion.

There was still time for the visitors to grab another before the final whistle, Darren O'Dea putting the icing on the cake with a headed goal from Aiden McGeady's cross.

As it stands, Ireland are now level on points with Sweden in Group C, and could move into second depending on the score in the Swedes' match against Germany.