ON-LOAN Swindon Town ace Jordan Williams earned a place on the bench as Gareth Bale's late header put Wales within tantalising reach of qualifying for Euro 2016 tonight.

Williams was an unused substitute as Bale settled a scrappy game against Cyprus in Nicosia when he met Jazz Richards' cross eight minutes from time - his sixth goal of a campaign which leaves unbeaten Wales with 17 points from seven games.

The Liverpool youngster will hope to win a first senior cap when Wales host Israel at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday.

Victory will see Wales heading to France next summer for their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

Yaser Kasim was also an unused sub as Iraq defeated Chinese Taipei 5-1 in their 2018 World Cup qualifier earlier today.