UPDATE 1-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's current team are a long way from the one that

reached the 1994 World Cup semi-finals in the United States but

recent performances have shown signs of promise.

"I expected to win six points from our first two qualifiers

and I think we deserved to have six points because we played

very well," said Bulgaria coach Luboslav Penev.

"But don't get me wrong, nothing has changed and Italy

remain favourites for the first place.

"I'm pleased with today's victory," Penev added. "Armenia

are a tough and well-organised team. They're really fast with

the ball and they can be very dangerous."

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

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

entertain Italy.

"I would like to apologise for my players' behaviour and for

Gazaryan's reaction," Armenia coach Vardan Minasyan said. "We

came here to win but we're nervous and we made mistakes."

(Reporting by Angel Krasimirov, editing by Tony Jiminez and