By David Dulin

David Edwards celebrates scoring his first goal for Wales

Wolves midfielder David Edwards scored his first international goal as Wales struggled to see off Liechtenstein at the Millennium Stadium.

It took the hosts 43 minutes to break down the minnows with Edwards converting Simon Davies' cut back.

Captain Craig Bellamy wasted a chance from the spot a minute later with a poor effort saved.

But the win was sealed 10 minutes from time when the visitors' Mario Frick deflected in Ched Evans' header.

Going into the match on the back of last month's defeat in Russia, a win was vital for John Toshack's men who next face a tough trip to Germany on Wednesday.

And Bellamy, making his first start for a year, almost had the perfect start after three minutes.

He cut inside the box and fired at Peter Jehle who got enough hands on to the ball to push it on to the bar.

It was the only real talking point of an opening that lacked any tempo with Jason Koumas and Gareth Bale restricted to long-range efforts.

But while Wales enjoyed most of the possession, Liechtenstein, who were described as a pub team in the build-up to the game, never looked out of contention.

They gave the home side a couple of scares at the back as they tried to create something, but it was always Wales who looked the more dangerous on the attack.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction Wales' win over Liechtenstein

And Bellamy had his second chance on 23 minutes when Sam Vokes set him up to shoot from the edge of the box, but his curling effort went inches wide of the post.

Toshack's side needed to step up a gear which they did as the break approached and Vokes should have had them in the lead on 39 minutes.

Koumas delivered a low cross from the left across the face of goal but the Wolves striker could not make contact as he dived in from close range.

Three minutes later though, Vokes' club team-mate Edwards broke the deadlock, allowing the 12,500 home crowd to breathe a sigh of relief.

Chris Gunter freed Davies down the right who cut back to Edwards to fire into the bottom right-hand corner.

Ched Evans is congratulated after Wales get their second goal

Bellamy almost doubled the lead within a minute firing straight at Jehle.

And then he should have done it straight afterwards from the penalty spot after Bale was upended by Martin Buchel.

But Wales' spot-kick woes continued when the West Ham striker saw his poor effort saved, making it three penalties missed in as many World Cup qualifying matches.

Toshack brought on Manchester City striker Evans for Vokes in the second half as Wales attempted to kill off the game.

And they should have had another penalty when Edwards was fouled, but given their record, were probably thankful that referee Thomas Veijlgaard waved away appeals.

Credit to Liechtenstein, they defended well and made it difficult for their hosts to create clear-cut chances despite the one-way traffic.

Koumas did force Jehle into a good save driving low from 25 yards just after the hour.

And on 71 minutes, Bellamy was unmarked six yards out to send Davies' pass goal-bound only to be denied by the fingertips of Jehle.

Wales finally got their second with 10 minutes to go when Evans' header rebounded off Liechtenstein captain Frick's leg and into the net.

Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, Morgan, Williams, Bale, Davies, Fletcher (Robinson 56), Koumas, Edwards, Bellamy (Collins 81), Vokes (Evans 51).
Subs Not Used: Myhill, Ricketts, Cotterill, Vaughan.

Booked: Bellamy.

Goals: Edwards 42, Evans 80.

Liechtenstein: Jehle, Ritzberger (Christen 66), Gerster, Martin Stocklasa, Martin Buchel, D'Elia, Frick, Polverino (Ronny Buchel 80), Fischer, Burgmeier, Beck.
Subs Not Used: Benjamin Buchel, Michael Stocklasa, Vogt, Hasler.

Booked: Martin Buchel, Burgmeier, Polverino, D'Elia.

Att: 12,500

Ref: Thomas Vejlgaard (Denmark).