Wales 1 Latvia 0: Kieffer Moore has emotional Gareth Bale out of his seat after scoring winner in nervy Euro Qualifier

THERE’S Moore to Wales than just Gareth Bale.

The legendary former captain watched on from his private box as the team he left behind continued their encouraging start to life without him.

GettyKieffer Moore netted what turned out to be the winning goal just before half-time[/caption]

PAAfter an emotional pre-game speech, Bale was among those cheering Wales on against Latvia[/caption]

A header late in the first half by big forward Kieffer Moore proved to be enough for the Dragons to squeeze past group minnows Latvia.

And while there were none of the thrills and spills he often provided, the result was all that mattered at the start of this post-Bale era.

Wales came into this one buoyed by their surprise point at group favourites Croatia on Saturday night.

That was by some distance the toughest game of the group on paper and raised hopes that Rob Page’s men can reach another tournament next summer.

A home game against a team ranked 133 in the world looked an ideal opportunity to build on that encouraging start.

Yet the Dragons did not have it all their own way in the opening exchanges.

Centre back Marcis Oss was left alone by Wales defenders in the box at a corner but his volley was smartly stopped by Danny Ward.

And the Leicester keeper had to be alert again to gather a clever backheel by giant forward Vladislavs Gutkovskis.

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The better chances were coming at the other end though with new skipper Aaron Ramsey whipping over a cross which was nodded wide by Moore.

The Bournemouth forward was getting closer as he found space to gather a Connor Roberts cross but placed his shot wide.

Then the home side were appealing for a penalty as Moore’s nod down appeared to strike a hand but neither the Georgian ref or the VAR agreed.

The pressure was starting to build though and it paid off five minutes before the break as Dan James – who had caused problems with his pace all night – got to the byline.

He stood up a cross and Moore backed away from his marker to direct his header beyond the outstretched arm of Pavels Steinbors.

It was a 10th international goal for the former lifeguard – who makes a habit of coming to the rescue for Wales.

GettyThe win means Wales have a very respectable four points from their opening two qualifying games[/caption]

James then swung over a dangerous cross which was aimed for the big striker but eluded everyone – including the visitors keeper – and dropped just wide.

The Dragons were now looking to finish the game off but Steinbors had other ideas – tipping a long range effort from Harry Wilson round the post.

He made an even better stop soon after the re-start as he somehow pushed a curler from full-back Neco Williams onto the bar.

Yet their failure to score a second made for a nervy end to the game.

Gutkovskis was proving to be a handful and Ward had to save again midway through the second half and was then denied by a fine late tackle by Williams.

But the home side held on to claim only their third win in the last 15 games and a first clean sheet in 10 matches.

Not exactly ‘Gareth who’ but proof there is at least life after the main man.