Wales manager Chris Coleman has said that his side handled the pressure "magnificently" as they moved to within one win of a place in a first major tournament since 1958.

Gareth Bale's late header secured a 1-0 win for Coleman's side over Cyprus this evening to ensure that victory over Israel on Sunday would confirm Euro 2016 qualification.

Despite admitting that the gritty performance was not one of his side's best, Coleman was delighted with the character shown by his players in unforgiving conditions in Nicosia.

"It was always going to be difficult, we knew what to expect," he told Sky Sports News. "The pitch was woeful, it was hot and humid, and the opposition had nothing to lose.

"Expectations were on us. It was not one of our better performances, but it is a huge three points. There was a lot of pressure on us and the players handled it magnificently."

The victory preserved both Wales's unbeaten record in qualifying and their position at the top of Group B, and leaves them five points clear of third-placed Israel, whom they face at home on Sunday.