Wales U21 1-2 Belarus U21

Josh Low caused problems in the Belarus defence

Wales U21 1-2 Belarus U21

Wales' youngsters were punished for two bad individual errors at Ninian Park on Friday night as they ended their European Under-21 Championship campaign with another hurtful defeat.

Although substitute Gareth Williams pulled the home side back to 2-1 in injury time, it was too little too late for Jimmy Shoulder's side.

The Wales Under-21s have not tasted victory in 24 matches now and found themselves two early goals down to a Belarus side who had defender Dzmitry Rahavik sent off just before the break.

Wales goalkeeper David Walsh and skipper Rhys Day made the mistakes that saw Belarus score through Viktar Sokal and Vitaly Kutuzau, before local boy Josh Low started to terrorise Rahvik on the right.

The Belarus defender was booked twice in three minutes to earn a red card, but Wales struggled to get back in the game after the break, despite facing 10 men.

This match was the end for the vast majority of Jimmy Shoulder's squad, with 10 of the 15 on show now too old for next year's competitions at this level.

Stuart Roberts never stopped trying

Cardiff's Danny Gabbidon was denied the chance to play in this last match of his Under-21s career, having been withdrawn earlier on Friday to bolster Mark Hughes' senior squad for their World Cup game against Belarus at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

But with the Under-21s' miserable record it is hard to see many others being ready to make the step up to the senior side yet.

This defeat is likely be Shoulder's last match in solo charge, with an extra coach expected to be added to the party soon. Former Welsh internationals Clayton Blackmore and Dean Saunders are in the frame.

After being under intense early pressure, Wales had started to assert themselves, with Stuart Roberts in particular having plenty of joy on the left.

It was his deep cross that saw James Thomas head down for Low to fire in a first-time volley that was held by Yury Chaunov.

But just as Wales were beginning to get on top, keeper Walsh dropped a terrible clanger to present Belarus with a 12th minute lead.

The Wrexham man rushed out of his box to intercept a long through ball, but instead of thumping it upfield he tried a ridiculous pass to where he must have felt there was a colleague.

All he found, 40 yards out, was Viktar Sokal, who lobbed the ball straight back over the stranded keeper into an empty net.

Everton teenager Ryan Valentine had slipped neatly into Gabbidon's centre defensive role and underlined much of the promise he has shown in the past couple of seasons.

Rhys Day's blunder led to a Belarus goal

But Wales were punished again for an individual error on 32 minutes, Day misjudging a long, bouncing ball and allowing Belarus captain Vitaly Kutuzau to get in behind to clip the ball over the exposed Walsh.

Wales hit back with Low leading the charge, with Rahavik earning his two yellow cards as he clumsily tried to stop the Cardiff player.

Wales had chances in the second half to get back into the game, Day sending a header inches wide from Michael Price's free-kick and Stuart Roberts' diving header flashing wide.

But Wales just could not hit the target, a flying effort from substitute Layton Maxwell also missing the post by inches.

When James Thomas did get a shot on target for the home side, his side foot from six yards was scooped up by Belarus keeper Chaunov.

Kevin Gall and Williams - winning his first cap - came on as late substitutes for Wales.

Crystal Palace player Williams made an immediate impact by at last finding the net, but by then it was far too late.

It was not all joy for the Belarus Youngsters either, as they are facing a Uefa charge for turning up late.

European football's governing body insists that teams arrive at least 24 hours before they are due to play, but Belarus only just made the kick-off.

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Wales U21: Walsh, De-Vulgt, Price, Valentine, Day, Phillips, Low, Gibson, James Thomas, Stephen Thomas, Roberts. Subs: Maxwell, Gall, Gareth Williams, Jason Jones.

Belarus U21: Chaunov, Nadzieuski, Rahavik, Molash, Baha, Branovitsky, Koberts, Kutuzau, Kalochou, Sokal, Biahanski. Subs: Kapantsou, Pankavets, Hryharau, Lis, Bychousky, Kantsavy, Tsiarentieu.

Referee: L Isaksen (Faroe Islands).