Wales 1-1 Serbia

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Bale (30' minutes) FT

Mitrovic (85' minutes)

HT 1-0

Wales' hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup were dealt a severe blow as Aleksandar Mitrovic's late equaliser for Serbia denied them victory in Cardiff. Despite a strong start from the visitors, Gareth Bale fired Wales ahead after the tireless Hal Robson-Kanu forced Serbia's Matija Nastasic into a mistake.

An occasionally scrappy but absorbing encounter featured chances at both ends and, just moments after Bale hit the post, Mitrovic headed in to stun the Cardiff City Stadium into silence. With the Republic of Ireland's win in Austria taking them top of Group D, Serbia and Wales stay second and third - two and four points behind Martin O'Neill's men respectively.

Having drawn their previous two games, it was imperative Wales did not lose more ground on their rivals in a tantalisingly tight group. And although the draw means Chris Coleman's men remain unbeaten, the four-point gap between them and the Republic of Ireland is a significant one with only one team able to qualify automatically from the group.

It also sets up a mouthwatering match between the two sides in Dublin on 24 March.

The pressure on Wales was increased before kick-off by the Republic's win in Austria, which momentarily moved Martin O'Neill's side three points clear at the top of Group D. Coleman boldly switched from his favoured 5-3-2 formation to a more attacking 4-4-2, and the changes from October's unexpected home draw against minnows Georgia included returns for influential midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, as well as forward and Euro 2016 hero Robson-Kanu.

Although a more narrow Wales side struggled as they were stretched by Serbia's width, Robson-Kanu's signature work ethic proved invaluable as he hustled Nastasic out of possession and fed Bale, whose low drive flew past Vladimir Stojkovic. Having featured only fleetingly for West Brom this season, Robson-Kanu's industrious running took its toll as he had to be replaced during the second half - his effort embodying a gruelling display from Wales. Midfielder Joe Ledley's exhaustion rendered him motionless on the ground before his late substitution.

Wales could have doubled their lead through Real Madrid man Bale, whose low, right-footed shot came back off the post following Ramsey's pass. And the miss was to prove costly, as Newcastle striker Mitrovic found space between tiring defenders just a minute later to glance his header home and spark wild celebrations in the Serbian dugout.