Evans crowns late show for Wales

Ched Evans' goal two minutes from the end helped Wales Under-21 to a 2-1 win in Bosnia in their European Championship qualifying campaign.

Boubacar Dialida Diabang gave the home side a second-half lead, before Simon Church looked to have saved a point in the 86th minute. But Evans, on loan at Norwich from Manchester City, secured a fifth straight win that guarantees the Welsh youngsters will be top of Group 10 going into their double-header against main rivals Romania.

Manager Brian Flynn brought in Tottenham youngster Chris Gunter at right-back for Darcy Blake in the only change from last month's 4-0 win in Malta.

Wales had beaten Bosnia by the same scoreline in the reverse fixture at the Racecourse Ground last November, but their opponents' pace in attack was a major threat early on yesterday.

Wrexham's Mike Williams had a first-half goal ruled out for shoving at a corner as the opening period ended goalless.

It looked set to be a costly decision when the Bosnians took the lead in the 59th minute. Welsh goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams should have done better with Diabang's low 20-yard shot – but it somehow slipped from his grasp and into the net. Fortunately for Williams, his team were able to turn it around.

Elsewhere, a makeshift Northern Ireland Under-21 team lost 3-1 at home against Romania at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Coach Roy Millar was hampered by a round of fixtures in the Carnegie Irish Premier Division the previous night and he chose to give some of his fringe players a run-out. The visitors took the lead after 32 minutes through Ciprian Deac and captain Claudiu Keseru profited from some sloppy Northern Ireland play to put Romania two up just before half-time.

Millar's side improved in the second half and deserved a goal, which they got when substitute Tommy Stewart tapped in at the far post.

Northern Ireland pushed for an equaliser, and Chris Turner had a shot well-saved. Keseru came up with a sucker punch 20 minutes from the end when he seized on a stray Northern Ireland pass to make it 3-1.

Wales' scouts will have noted Keseru's threat with interest.