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The Welsh side earned a hard-fought 1-0 success over underdogs Liechtenstein to keep alive their hopes of World Cup qualifying.

Wales' James notched his maiden goal for Wales from inside the box after Liechtenstein’s group of full-time players, amateurs and students had defended for the majority of the match. James celebrated in elation with his visible excitement shared by the 3,000 Welsh followers packed into most sections of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Moments later, however, Jordan James was cautioned and a further late caution for Ethan Ampadu ensured the pair are unavailable for the upcoming decisive game with their next opponents through suspension.

That Wales' ground match is a encounter Wales have to secure victory in to leapfrog their rivals and secure a more favourable position in the qualifying playoffs in next spring.

Craig Bellamy had an different view from the dugout, Bellamy completing a technical area prohibition after picking up a second yellow card in the competition earlier.

The manager's assistant his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were at risk of suspension from being absent for the concluding match. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in situations that could really hurt their team.

Their opponents, situated near the bottom in world football, had not scored in their previous six losses and allowed 23 goals at an rate of almost four per game.

The visitors predictably had most of the play as their hosts adopted a compact shape and packed their defence.

The home goal was rarely tested until Broadhead chasing down forced an error and James saw his shot from the edge of the box pushed aside by the goalkeeper.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, James locating Broadhead this time with a precise delivery behind the defence.

Broadhead’s excellent control evaded the keeper but the attacker could not convert from a tight angle.

Wales believed they'd scored the opener after 26 minutes when James headed a high Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a packed six-yard box.

The Liechtenstein keeper was harassed by Lawlor and Rodon, and his poor clearance reached Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Wales' elation were curtailed when the match official was directed to the video review system and ruled that a player of the Wales centre-halves was in an illegal position from Jordan's header.

The visitors increased the pressure after the half-time and Sorba Thomas sent in a centering pass to the far post which James rattled against the crossbar.

Williams then directed his header off target from inside the penalty box as it appeared like a difficult match for Wales.

But, with the match having reached its second half, Neco Williams delivered a clever pass for his teammate to break behind the opposition backline.

James bypassed Büchel with a excellent cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan James had the easy job of relieving Welsh nerves.