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Wales earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over international minnows Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup progress.

Wales' James scored his maiden international strike for the national team from inside the box after the home side's mix of professionals, amateurs and students had held out for more than 60 minutes. The scorer wheeled away in joy with his clear emotion echoed by the large contingent of Welsh supporters occupying most sections of the venue in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, however, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and a further booking for his midfield partner ensured the two players are unavailable for the upcoming crucial match with their next opponents through accumulated bookings.

The home venue match is a encounter Wales have to secure victory in to move above their rivals and obtain a better draw in the qualifying playoffs in March.

Bellamy had an different perspective from the stands, the Wales manager undertaking a sideline suspension after receiving a second yellow card in the qualifiers earlier.

Bellamy’s assistant his assistant took his place in the dugout and four of Wales’s starters – Jordan James, Ethan Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were one caution from from being absent for the concluding match. Two of them received cautions in situations that may damage their team.

Liechtenstein, ranked near the bottom in world football, had failed to score in their winless run and conceded 23 goals at an rate of almost four per game.

Wales as expected controlled the ball as their hosts lay in a low defensive block and defended in numbers.

Their opponent's target saw little action until the forward's high press caused a mistake and James saw his effort from the 18-yard line saved by Benjamin Büchel.

The same combination crafted an opportunity, James locating Broadhead this time with a accurate delivery into space.

The attacker's excellent touch evaded the keeper but the Wrexham striker was unable to score from a narrow position.

The Welsh team thought they had taken the lead after the first half when Jordan James headed a lofted Sorba Thomas set-piece back into a crowded goal area.

The Liechtenstein keeper was under pressure by Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his feeble attempt landed with Nathan Broadhead who drove home emphatically. But Welsh elation were cut short when the referee was instructed to the video review system and determined that at least one of the Wales defenders was in an illegal position from Jordan's initial touch.

Wales stepped up a gear after the half-time and Sorba Thomas provided a cross to the far post which the winger struck the crossbar.

Neco Williams then directed his header off target from within the penalty box as it appeared like one of those nights for Wales.

Yet, with the game having reached its second half, Williams delivered a clever assist for Daniel James to break behind the home defence.

Daniel James cut out the goalkeeper with a superb cross into the danger area, and his teammate Jordan had the straightforward job of easing Welsh nerves.