Ireland clung on to claim a controversial five-run win over Zimbabwe to keep their bid to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on track . Ed Joyce 's third one-day international century helped Ireland post 331 for eight - their highest ever score at a World Cup - but Zimbabwe looked like running down the record chase until a debatable John Mooney catch . Replays appeared to show Mooney had stepped on the rope when he held on to remove Sean Williams , who was four short of a century and seemingly in control of the pursuit . Alex Cusack ( centre ) of Ireland is congratulated by team mates after getting the wicket of Tawanda Mupariwa . Kevin O'Brien celebrates after Sean Williams is controversially caught out by John Mooney . Ireland celebrate after winning their pulsating World Cup clash against Zimbabwe and knocking them out . The third umpire was called to judge the catch , although Williams did not remain on the field of play after he instead opted to take the word of Mooney that he had taken the catch inside the rope . There was still drama to follow as number 10 Tawanda Mupariwa slapped 19 from the penultimate over , delivered by Kevin O'Brien , to leave Zimbabwe needing seven from the last six balls . But Alex Cusack held his nerve as he claimed the final two wickets , first getting Regis Chakabva to drag on before Mupariwa skied a catch William Porterfield gratefully accepted . While Joyce 's 112 earned him the man-of-the-match award Cusack 's four for 32 was just as invaluable , especially after he removed Zimbabwe skipper Brendon Taylor for 121 . Ed Joyce celebrates making his third one-day international century and helping Ireland to 331-8 . Joyce scores many of his impressive runs as Ireland boosted their chances of World Cup qualification . Victory was Ireland 's second over a full-member nation at the tournament after they opened their campaign with a win over West Indies . They will , however , most likely need to pull off one more shock in their final two pool games against India and Pakistan . Pakistan 's surprise win over South Africa earlier in the day did Ireland few favours and their clash in Adelaide on March 15 looms as a potential decider . John Mooney celebrates getting the wicket of Sikandar Raza and helping them on their way to victory . Ireland stand for the national anthem during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup against Zimbabwe . Joyce became the fourth Ireland player to score a World Cup century although he was given a helping hand by a sloppy Zimbabwe fielding display . The Sussex batsman was twice dropped , while he edged his first ball just short of slip , but was otherwise imperious as he hit nine fours and three sixes . He joined in a third-wicket partnership of 138 with Andy Balbirnie , who was only three runs away from following Joyce to three figures after he was run out during the late-over scramble . Ireland took 108 from the final 10 overs to reach their highest ODI score , surpassing the 329 for seven they racked up during their famous World Cup win over England in Bangalore four years ago . Kevin O'Brien celebrates after taking the controversial wicket of Zimbabwe batsman Sean Williams . Williams reacts after getting out at the Bellerive Oval ground despite it looking like Mooney touched the foam . When Zimbabwe then crashed to 74 for four in reply Ireland were in total control only for Taylor and Williams to turn the momentum of the match in a 149-run stand . Taylor reached his century from 79 balls and Ireland 's attack was looking toothless until Cusack produced a slower ball to fool the Zimbabwe skipper into spooning a catch to mid-on . Williams kept the scoreboard ticking over and had reduced the task to a manageable 32 from 20 balls when Mooney 's controversial catch was claimed . It was a critical moment and while Mupariwa made Ireland sweat , as he hit Kevin O'Brien for back-to-back fours and then a six , Cusack cleaned up the tail in a thrilling finale . The Irish players congratulate each other after their final over victory over the African country .
Ireland beat Zimbabwe by five runs after exciting tie came down to final over but the game was also surrounded by a controversial wicket . John Mooney appeared to touch the foam as he caught Sean Williams out . Ed Joyce scored his first one-day international century . Click here for all the latest Cricket World Cup news .