Danish substitutes Jon Dahl Tomasson and Stig Tofting fired two goals in the last six minutes of the game despite an impressive display at Anfield.

While temporary Welsh bosses Mark Hughes and Neville Southall were left to rue an unfortunate defeat, the last-gasp victory rekindled Denmark's hopes of qualifying for the finals.

Tomasson hooked the ball home from close range just six minutes from time after Wales 'keeper Paul Jones weakly punched away a header from a left wing throw in.

Jones had previously kept the Danes at bay with a series of brilliant saves

And the vicitors scored a cruel second in the final minute when former Newcastle striker Tomasson went down under a challenge from Chris Coleman in the area.

Tofting sent Jones the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Passion

Wales oozed passion in the opening periods of the match and were gallantly marshalled by joint-caretaker boss Hughes who thundered into three ferocious tackles in the first few minutes.

But despite all the sweat and blood being spilled, the opening stages saw just one clear chance.

Paul Jones saved well with his feet after Jesper Grondjaer had got behind Darren Barnard on the right.

It still needed another fine Jones save after 27 minutes when he tipped over a dipping 20-yarder from Chelsea's Bjarne Goldbaek.

Perhaps Wales' best chance of the first half came on 30 minutes when Ryan Giggs curled a clever ball in from the left.

Schmeichel needed all his speed and commitment off his line to get there inches before Dean Saunders' diving frame.

Giggs looked purposeful when he had the ball at his feet and saw one swerving free-kick crash into the side-netting.

He then sent over a deep free-kick that Coleman headed inches wide.

Powerful

Jones' long clearance then found Hartson, and the powerful Wimbledon man fought off two defenders and then defied his size with a tricky turn and shot which flew just over the bar.

Denmark should have taken the lead on 38 minutes when Jan Heintze' cross from the left was met by World Cup star Ebbe Sand.

His 10-yard free header dropped inches wide of the far post.

Jones again came to Wales' rescue after 40 minutes with a fine save low to his left from Allan Nielsen's measured shot from the edge of the box.

The Southamption keeper made another brave plunge out to block a Heitze shot when he was clear after a one-two with Miklos Molnar.

The second half continued in much the same vein with Denmark raining in the shots and Wales looking dangerous on the break.

The sprightly Dean Saunders belied his years with a razor sharp display but Welsh hearts were broken in the final six minutes of the game through Tomasson and Tofting.

Wales: Jones, Jenkins, Barnard, Robinson, Melville, Coleman, Speed, Saunders, Hartson, Hughes, Giggs. Subs: Symons, Legg, Pembridge, Bellamy, Page, Williams, Crossley.

Denmark: Schmeichel, Colding, Henriksen, Hogh, Heintze, Goldbaek, Nielsen, Gronkjaer, Molnar, Joergensen, Sand. Subs: Olsen, Nielson, Frandsen, Toefting, Sorensen, Tomasson, Frederiksen.