Ashes winners England averted a shock defeat to see off Ireland by three runs in a bizarre RSA one-day international in Belfast.

A matter of days after celebrating Test series success over Australia, they appeared on course for a comprehensive defeat with the Irish well set chasing a revised target of 116 in 20 overs.

But Ireland slumped from 64-2 in the ninth over as England avoided the ignominy of losing to two minnows either side of beating the Australians.

They spectacularly lost to the Netherlands in the World Twenty20 in June but managed to hold out this time as a makeshift attack prospered on the sluggish surface.

Typically of the contest, however, there was a late twist as, with 13 runs needed off the final three balls, Trent Johnston drove part-time spinner Owais Shah for four.

With at least one six required from the final two deliveries, Johnston lofted to long-on and England 12th man Eoin Morgan, on for Graeme Swann, prevented it clearing the rope by patting the ball back into play.

Johnston and Kyle McCallan, Ireland's final pair, ran two but the quick thinking by Morgan prevented a famous victory for his compatriots.

Australian-raised Johnston finished his 100th appearance for his adopted country by crashing the final ball for four.

Shah's part-time spin wrecked the late innings, as he claimed three wickets.

England earlier posted a meagre 203-9 and then sat around for three hours as persistent rain prevented the Irish beginning their reply.