Ireland remain on course to clinch the Grand Slam after edging past England 14-13 in a scrappy Six Nations encounter at Croke Park.

Brian O'Driscoll was Ireland's match-winner grabbing their only try and also adding a drop goal.

But once again England, who had two players sin-binned, were made to pay for their indiscipline.

Martin Johnson's side actually started the match brightly and looked the likelier scorers in a poor-quality opening quarter.

Ronan O'Gara, who had a wretched game with the boot, finally slotted over a 29th-minute penalty to give Ireland the lead but England ensured they went into half-time all-square when Toby Flood kicked a penalty of his own.

Ireland regained the initiative in the 55th minute with a rare piece of quality in a drab game from O'Driscoll who lofted a drop goal between the posts.

Ten minutes later England's cause wasn't helped when Phil Vickery was sin-binned and, after a long period of Ireland pressure, O'Driscoll dived over the try line from close range.

Although O'Gara missed the conversion, Ireland led 11-3 but England wasted a great chance to get back into the game when they failed to take advantage of a superb Mathew Tait break.

Delon Armitage did reduce the deficit with a penalty, but they had to play the last ten minutes with 14 men when Danny Care was sent to the sin-bin for a rush of blood to the head as he charged into an opponent with his shoulder.

O'Gara kicked the resulting penalty and, although Armitage scored a last-minute try that was converted by Andy Goode, there was not enough time for England to take anything from the match.