Tom Lawrence scored the only goal of the game as Wales picked up a crucial win against Georgia on Friday evening, edging them closer to a World Cup 2018 qualifying playoff spot.

The Derby County forward took a couple of touches to set himself before unleashing the ball past Giorgi Loria early in the second half, keeping his side on course for a top-two finish on the road to Russia.

Wales can still finish at the summit of Group D if results go their way, but a second-place showdown at home to Republic of Ireland on Monday evening is the more likely outcome.

Wales, missing star man Gareth Bale for their final two qualifying fixtures, dominated the first-half chances and came close to an opener five minutes in when matchwinner Lawrence slipped the ball through for Aaron Ramsey.

The Arsenal midfielder got in between two opposition defenders but could only drag the ball wide of goal, before Andy King went one better by testing Loria with a miscued volley from inside the box.

The visitors' next chance fell the way of Sam Vokes, preferred to Hal Robson-Kanu in attack as one of two changes from last time out, as he showed good movement to divert Ramsey's cross narrowly wide.

Vokes turned provider soon after, laying the ball off for Lawrence to send over the bar from the edge of the opposition box.

Giorgi Kvilitaia then squandered Georgia's only opportunity of the first half, outjumping James Chester but failing to test Wayne Hennessey.

Wales did not have to wait too long into the second half to make the breakthrough, though, beating Loria through a long-range Lawrence strike - his first goal for the Dragons on his ninth cap.

Lawrence certainly had a taste for it, sending another shot narrowly wide with a more caressed finished as the hour mark approached, while Ramsey's parried shot could not be helped home by Vokes.

Georgia took points off Republic of Ireland and Austria last month, having also held Wales earlier in the campaign, but without two of their key attacking men they looked devoid of ideas.

With 10 minutes to go the Crusaders managed to temporarily step up a gear, however, coming close through a Giorgi Merebashvili shot that rather fortunately ricocheted off Ashley Williams and into the hands of Hennessey.

That proved to be it in terms of the chances, meaning that three more points for Wales against Ireland in three days' time will almost certainly secure a playoff spot.