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The Welsh side secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over less-fancied opponents Liechtenstein to sustain their chances of World Cup qualifying.

Wales' James claimed his debut goal for Wales from close range after the home side's assorted collection of full-time players, office workers and part-timers had resisted for the majority of the match. James celebrated in delight with his clear emotion mirrored by the large contingent of Wales supporters filling three sides of the stadium in Vaduz.

Soon afterwards, however, Jordan James was shown a yellow card and another booking for his midfield partner means the pair are suspended for Tuesday’s crunch tie with their next opponents through accumulated bookings.

The home venue fixture is a clash Wales must win to leapfrog their rivals and obtain a improved position in the playoffs in next spring.

The Wales manager had an different view from the sidelines, Bellamy serving a technical area prohibition after picking up a further caution in the qualifiers previously.

The manager's assistant his assistant assumed duties in the technical area and multiple first-teamers – Jordan James, Ampadu, Rodon, Neco Williams – were a booking away from missing the final qualifier. Both James and Ampadu came unstuck in incidents that may damage their team.

Liechtenstein, placed near the bottom in world football, had failed to score in their six qualifying defeats and let in 23 times at an average of nearly four per game.

Wales as expected had most of the play as Liechtenstein employed a deep defensive line and packed their defence.

The home goal saw little action until Broadhead pressing won possession and Jordan James saw his effort from the penalty area parried by Benjamin Büchel.

A similar move crafted an opportunity, James finding his teammate now with a precise ball into space.

The attacker's superb touch beat Büchel but the attacker was unable to score from a narrow position.

The Welsh team thought they had scored the opener after 26 minutes when Jordan James nodded a high Thomas set-piece back into a congested goal area.

Büchel was under pressure by Lawlor and Joe Rodon, and his poor clearance fell to Broadhead who scored decisively. But Wales' elation were halted when the referee was sent to the video review system and ruled that a player of the Wales defenders was in an offside position from Jordan's header.

Wales stepped up a gear after the interval and Sorba Thomas provided a cross to the back post which James hit the frame of the goal.

Neco Williams then headed wide from within the goal area as it started to seem like a difficult match for the Welsh side.

But, with the game having entered its second half, Neco Williams delivered a intelligent assist for his teammate to run past the Liechtenstein defenders.

Daniel James cut out Büchel with a delightful pass along the six-yard box, and his teammate Jordan had the simple job of ending Wales' nerves.