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The Welsh side earned a narrow 1-0 win against international minnows Liechtenstein to maintain their chances of World Cup finals qualifying.

Jordan James scored his first international strike for the national team from near the goal after Liechtenstein’s assorted collection of professionals, amateurs and part-timers had resisted for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in delight with his obvious relief mirrored by the 3,000 Welsh supporters occupying multiple stands of the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital.

Moments later, yet, Jordan James was booked and another yellow for his midfield partner means the pair are ruled out for Tuesday’s crucial match with their next opponents through accumulated bookings.

The Cardiff City Stadium match is a clash Wales have to secure victory in to move above their rivals and obtain a more favourable position in the final round in next spring.

The Wales manager had an different perspective from the dugout, Bellamy undertaking a touchline ban after being shown a additional booking in the qualifiers earlier.

The manager's assistant Piet Cremers assumed duties in the coaching zone and several key players – James, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Williams – were one caution from from missing the concluding match. A pair were booked in moments that may damage their team.

Liechtenstein, placed near the bottom in world football, had been goalless in their previous six losses and allowed 23 times at an average of around four per game.

Wales as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein lay in a compact shape and got bodies behind the ball.

The home goal was rarely tested until the forward's high press forced an error and James saw his effort from the penalty area pushed aside by Benjamin Büchel.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, Jordan locating his teammate on this occasion with a precise delivery behind the defence.

The attacker's excellent control took him past Büchel but the Wrexham striker could not convert from a difficult angle.

The Welsh team believed they'd broken the deadlock after 26 minutes when James directed a deep Thomas set-piece back into a crowded goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance landed with Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh joy were cut short when the official was instructed to the video review system and determined that one or more of the Welsh centre-halves was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales increased the pressure after the half-time and Sorba Thomas delivered a ball to the opposite side which the winger struck the woodwork.

Neco Williams then headed wide from inside the goal area as it started to seem like a frustrating evening for the Welsh side.

However, with the match having ticked into its final half-hour, Neco Williams delivered a intelligent assist for his teammate to get in behind the home defence.

Daniel James bypassed Büchel with a superb pass along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the simple task of easing Wales' nerves.