Wales Women beat Albania 1-0 to take a slender advantage into the second leg of their World Cup semi-final play-off.
An own goal from Ezmiralda Franja in the first half at the Loro Borici Stadium gave Rhian Wilkinson's side the win ahead of the return fixture in Llanelli next week.
Hosts create the better chances
The hosts created the better chances and were the better team it could be argued on a frustrating night for the visitors. Wilkinson was without a host of key names in Shkoder, with Ceri Holland, Ffion Morgan and Ella Powell all missing.
Their goal was a fortuitous one, with a Lily Woodham corner eventually ending up in the back of net via a few deflections, with Franja eventually credited with the own goal.
Second-half scares for Wales
After the break Fortesa Berisha gave the visitors an almighty scare when her rebounded effort from a Safia Middleton-Patel save rattled against the far post.
Hannah Cain had a chance to double Wales' advantage midway through the second period but she dragged her effort wide when put through down the right-hand side of the Albania flank by Scarlett Hill. Berisha then gave them another scare late on but couldn't keep her effort down.
Play-off final in sight
If Wales avoid defeat in Llanelli next week they will progress to a two-legged play-off final against either Norway or Romania in December.
Wilkinson said post-match to the BBC: "I don't think we defended overly well today. But what we did do, we never quit and I do think I've been in this job long enough to have seen that growth with this team that we're finding ways to stick in the game. We've got to happy with that right now because we're away from home and in an environment that they made really tough. So I'm proud of the win."
