Church redeems Wales as FYROM are seen off

Wales clawed themselves off the foot of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group A by defeating the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in Cardiff to leave Zoran Stratev's men bottom of the section.

The visitors had got the better of Chris Coleman's team in Skopje in September but the Welsh gained revenge as Simon Church struck in the second half. Captain Aaron Ramsey had a late penalty saved but the hosts had done enough and will hope to get something from their final group game in Belgium to help ensure they avoid the wooden spoon.

Wales were first to threaten as neat play down the right worked Neil Taylor into space, but the full-back's low shot was kept out strongly by Tome Pacovski. Nikolce Noveski brought down a lofted ball at the other end yet failed to keep his strike down.

David Vaughan's effort came back off the crossbar after the interval, as did debutant Declan John's cross. The goal arrived in the 67th minute as Ramsey slipped in Craig Bellamy on the right, and his low centre was powered in by Church. Ramsey was then tripped in the area by Noveski but the Arsenal FC man saw Pacovski deny his spot kick – though it made no difference to the final destination of the points.