Soccer-Manolev strikes again for Bulgaria as trio sent off

SOFIA, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Stanislav Manolev scored his

second goal in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign as

Bulgaria laboured to a 1-0 win over Armenia in a Group B match

on Tuesday featuring three red cards.

The only goal came two minutes before the interval when

Manolev, who also struck in Friday's 2-2 draw at home to Italy,

turned in a cross from captain Ivelin Popov who had dribbled

past 39-year-old right back Sargis Hovsepyan.

Bulgaria almost doubled their lead in added time as

substitute Dimitar Rangelov was thwarted by advancing Armenia

goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky.

Earlier, a dozen players were involved in a 73rd-minute

fracas during which Bulgaria's Svetoslav Dyakov was shown a

second yellow card and Armenia substitute Marcos Pinheiro was

also sent off.

Armenia, who rarely looked like scoring, finished the game

with nine men after Gevorg Gazaryan was dismissed for pushing a

ball boy in the 77th minute.

Bulgaria, who have four points from two games, host Denmark

in their next qualifier on Oct. 12 while Armenia (three points)

entertain Italy.