Iran beat North Korea 2-0 in Pyongyang in a match that ended with angry scenes on Wednesday to take the outright lead in their World Cup qualifying group.

The match officials were unable to leave the pitch for 20 minutes after the game as furious North Korea fans hurled bottles, rocks and chairs in frustration.

North Korean soldiers and police were forced to step in to restore order at Kim Il-sung Stadium after defender Nam Song-chol was sent off for shoving Syrian referee Mohamed Kousa.

An own goal from An Yong-hak in the 33rd minute and a Javad Nekounam strike 10 minutes from time gave Iran seven points from three games in the final round of Asian 2006 qualifiers.

Tempers flared towards the end of the Group B match as Nam was dismissed for pushing Kousa after he had denied the defender a penalty.

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The game was held up for five minutes following Nam's dismissal as bottles rained down onto the stadium's running track.

As trouble re-ignited at the final whistle, security forces were mobilised and stadium announcements warned the crowd of 60,000 to be calm.

The result left North Korea's hopes of qualifying for their second World Cup in tatters after their third consecutive defeat.

Bahrain can join Iran on seven points if they beat Japan [Images] in Saitama later on Wednesday.

North Korea were unlucky to lose their opening game 2-1 in Japan and they threatened to file a formal complaint to FIFA over the refereeing during last week's 2-1 home defeat by Bahrain.

North Korea have achieved little success since their shock quarter-final appearance at the 1966 World Cup in England [Images].

However, the country's communist government has lavished cash, modern housing and luxury cars on the players as incentives to reach the 2006 finals.

The top two teams from each group of four advances automatically for next year's World Cup in Germany [Images].

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