Toshack dejected after Russia defeat

John Toshack's young Wales side will return from Moscow believing they should have grabbed a priceless World Cup qualifying point.

Wales lost 2-1 in the Lokomotiv stadium, but came so close to a surprise draw. Now boss Toshack believes Wales must have 12 points by the end of March to have any chance of qualifying for South Africa 2010.

And he said: "To do that we must get something from our matches with the two group favourites, Russia and Germany. We came very close here, but it is not good enough. My young players did really well, but they sat in the dressing room afterwards believing they had thrown a point away."

He added: "We still have to go to Germany and play them at home, with the Russians still to come to Cardiff. From those games we have to find a win somewhere."

Wales had fought back to grab an equaliser through Joe Ledley late in the second period.

Tottenham defender Gareth Bale missed an early penalty and Wales conceded from the spot soon after when Roman Pavlyuchenko netted.

But despite coming under fierce first-half pressure, Wales battled back and felt they deserved a point before substitute Pavel Pogrebnyak's late winner.

Toshack said: "We did not have too much possession in that first period, they pinned us back and then we missed a penalty before conceding one.

"But in the second half we were the better side, so to lose the way we did after fighting back to square the game is bitterly disappointing."