Wales frustrated by Georgia in second successive draw

Wales followed up their 2-2 draw away in Austria on Thursday with a 1-1 draw at home to Georgia on Sunday.

Talisman Gareth Bale gave Wales the lead with a towering header in the tenth minute and he led the team in a breath-taking start.

However, Georgia grew into the game and started to find more space in behind the Wales back line, with their equaliser coming in the second-half through Tornike Okriashvili who scored a fine header of his own.

Towards the end of the game it was Georgia, and not Wales who were having the better chances to secure the win and they hit the crossbar in the final ten minutes.

Wales too had chances of their own, with Bale hitting the side netting from a free-kick and substitute Hal Robson-Kanu going close.

The draw means that Wales momentarily top Group D with five points but Serbia, Austria and Ireland are only a point behind and all have games in hand.

Allen a big miss for Wales: Joe Allen was inspirational in the midfield against Austria and his presence was missed when Georgia began to win the midfield battles in the final quarter of the match. And with Aaron Ramsey also missing through injury, Wales look a little light in this key area in what promises to be a tight, tight group.

Gareth Bale (Wales) Leapt high to grab what could be a crucial opener and created enough chances for a Welsh second but couldn’t do it all on his own.

Wales: Hennessey 6, Gunter 7, Chester 6, Williams 6, Davies 6, Taylor 6, King 6, Edwards 6, Ledley 7, Bale 8, Vokes 6. SUBS: Cotterill 6, Robson-Kanu 7, Huws 6.

Georgia: Loria 6, Kakabadze 6, Kverkvelia 6, Kashia 6, Navalovski 6, Ananidze 7, Daushvili 6, Gvilia 6, Kazaishvili 7, Mchedidze 7, Okriashvili 8. SUBS: Kacharava 6, Jigauri 6, Dvalishvili 6.

10’ – GOAL! Wales 1-0 Georgia: That man Gareth Bale rises like a salmon to head home Joe Ledley’s corner and move to within three goals of Ian Rush’s all-time record.

33’ – BAR! Ananidze clips the bar with a dangerous free kick.

57’ – GOAL! Wales 1-1 Georgia: Okriashvili heads home unmarked to draw Georgia level.

68’ – SAVE! The outstretched arm of Hennessey denies Ananidze.

73’ – GEORGIA CLOSE! Mchedidze is one on one with Hennessey but puts his shot wide.

81’ – CROSSBAR! Georgia break quickly after Davies thinks he’s fouled and Kazaishvili rattles the bar with Hennessey beaten.

Gareth Bale has scored 25 goals for Wales, three behind Ian Rush's record mark.

Tornike Okriashvili is the top scorer in Georgia's current squad with eight international goals.

Wales have won six of their last 11 competitive matches, losing three and drawing two.

Georgia have scored nine goals in four games against Wales, who have struck only twice in those encounters.