Ten-man Wales hold on to see off Cyprus

• Undefeated Wales top Group B after win in Cardiff 
• Hosts play 43 minutes with ten men after Andy King red card
• David Cotterrill and Hal Robson-Kanu put Welsh two up
• Vincent Laban pulls one back for Cyprus before interval
• Next games: Belgium v Wales, Cyprus v Andorra (16 November)

Wales survived 43 minutes with ten men to beat Cyprus in Cardiff and stay top of UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group B.

Undefeated from their two opening games, Chris Coleman's side began full of confidence and talisman Gareth Bale was the first to see a sight of goal, driving in a free-kick which Tasos Kissas could only gather at the second attempt.

It was a less heralded name who broke the deadlock as David Cotterrill – seven minutes after replacing early injury victim Simon Church – saw his inswinging cross from the left evade goalkeeper, defenders and forwards alike to nestle in the far corner. The lead was doubled on 23 minutes, Bale's delicate back-heel diverting a through ball gloriously into the path of Hal Robson-Kanu who confidently strode free and slipped in a second with minimum fuss.

Cyprus fought back and Vincent Laban matched Cotterill's effort. The No14 floated a free-kick in from wide on the left and the only contact before the net bulged was a glancing touch off Wayne Hennessey's glove. A frantic first half concluded in appropriate style as Bale's free-kick smashed the crossbar and Joe Ledley's follow-up header was cleared off the line.

Home hopes of maintaining their advantage took a huge blow in the 47th minute as Andy King saw red after fouling Constantinos Makridis. That was the cue for Charalampos Christodoulou's men to throw everything at the Welsh. Dimitris Christofi fired an effort just off target before seeing another shot flick a defender and slip wide. George Efrem then escaped his marker at a corner but the header failed to hit the net. Wales resorted to the counter and with the pace of Bale were always a threat. The No11 got around the back of the Cyprus defence on the right but his attempt from the tightest of angles rolled along the goal line and to safety.

As the clock ticked down Efrem nodded over from five metres when completely free in the box, but Wales held on to take all three points.