Derby County’s Tom Lawrence was the hero as Wales kept their hopes of reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia very much alive with a crucial 1-0 win in Georgia on Friday night.
The wideman, who joined Derby from Premier League side Leicester City back in August, fired home the only goal of the game in Wales’ penultimate Group D qualifier with a superb effort from distance in Tbilisi just after half-time.
Winning his ninth cap, it was Lawrence’s first goal on the international stage – and it came a key time.
Wales are sit second in Group D and know that a victory over the Republic of Ireland in their final qualifier on Monday will, at least, see them secure a play-off berth - as they could still seal automatic qualification as they are a point behind leaders Serbia following their 3-2 loss in Austria.
Fellow Ram Joe Ledley, who penned a short-term deal with the club last month until January, played 81 minutes in midfield before being replaced - while Lawrence was also substituted in stoppage time.
The game against Ireland will be a straight shoot-out for second spot following their 2-0 win over Moldova in Dublin.
Nottingham Forest striker Daryl Murphy scored both goals in the first half for Martin O’Neill’s men while Derby skipper Richard Keogh was an unused substitute at the Aviva Stadium.