Manager John Toshack found it hard to explain lacklustre Wales

That followed the 3-1 loss in Cyprus four days before that, which saw Toshack question his players' commitment in the Euro qualifiers.

"I hope the next 10 days we are together will be better than this one was. Ok, so this was a win, but that's all," Toshack said.

"We have a lot of work if we are going to change some players' attitudes."

Wales dominated the first half against San Marino with goals from Robert Earnshaw and Joe Ledley.

But the Group D minnows hit back with a second-half strike from Andy Selva, which gave the Welsh contingent a nerve-wracking final few minutes.

"We set about the first half in the right way, scored two and could have had more. We were good value for that lead at the break," Toshack added.

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"But in the second period we had to make a change because David Vaughan was struggling with a groin injury and we didn't really get started after that.

"We were not as good as we were in the first half and we gave away a needless free-kick for them to score. From then on, we were biting our nails and calling for the whistle.

"Games against teams like this frighten the life out of me. San Marino almost beat the Republic of Ireland here and you know things like that can happen."

But despite the problems that have seen Wales slip to second from bottom of Group D, they are still within three points of the third-placed Republic - their next pool opponents.

The Republic of Ireland had to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Cyprus in Dublin on Wednesday night thanks to a late equaliser.

"If we needed an incentive now to beat Ireland when they come to Cardiff next month, we certainly have it now," Toshack said.

"It is not impossible for us to finish third if we beat them and other results go for us.

"Nothing is impossible but we will still need to work very hard to improve to get there."

"I still want to push younger players in. Some of these lads have had a rollicking, but these days you don't seem to be able to do that to young players - they think that they know it all."

Wales face the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff on 17 November, then play their final Group D match away to Germany in Frankfurt on 21 November.

Germany and the Czech Republic have already qualified for the finals.