DAVID EDWARDS secured an encouraging victory for Wales against a limited but physically strong Azerbaijan as John Toshack gave youth its chance in the Tofik Bakhramov stadium.

With no chance of qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, Toshack put his faith in the youngest side ever assembled by a Wales coach. Joe Ledley, just 22 years old, captained the team for the first time in a competitive international and 20-year-old Reading striker Simon Church led the line well on his full international debut.

Jack Collison, Gareth Bale and Ched Evans were all ruled out during the week on top of such reliable personnel as Craig Bellamy, Simon Davies and James Collins, so Toshack was forced to bring in another 20-year-old, Neil Eardley, to win his 10th cap at left-back. The Oldham Athletic defender’s eager and energetic performance epitomised the hunger at the heart of the team.

If Toshack considers that he has had a rough ride recently, maybe he should spare a thought for Azerbaijan coach and former World Cup winner Berti Vogts who was simply told to “win or resign” in yesterday’s Azerbaijani newspapers.

Without experienced defenders Sasa Yunisoglu and Samir Abbasov, who were suspended, his challenge not only was to mastermind his team’s first win in the group but to come up with a formula that could produce their first goal.

Brazilian-born Fabio Luis Ramim, who was sent off in Cardiff in September 2008 when a goal by Sam Vokes gave Wales a winning start in the qualifying group, promised danger but failed to live up to his billing while much of the Azeris’ build-up play lacked poise and penetration.

They lacked quality, too, and the midfield trio of Edwards, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey and Ledley were quickly asserting control and gaining conviction. Ashley Williams made a well-timed tackle at the expense of a corner to deny Zeynal Zeynalov a rare opportunity and for most of the first half the Wales defence dealt comfortably with Azerbaijan’s predictable and impotent attack.

A poorly struck shot from the edge of the penalty area straight at Wayne Hennessey by Daniel Akhtyamo and a long-range effort from Zeynalov were as much as the home team produced.

Wales threatened more frequently and only a desperate challenge by Rashad Sadigov, the Azeri captain, stopped Church as he drove towards Farkhad Veliyev’s goal. Rob Earnshaw, who scored his 14th international goal in last week’s friendly against Estonia, could have secured his 15th from a Ramsey corner, but the striker fluffed his header.

Earnshaw made up for his error, however, when he gained possession on the right flank four minutes before the interval and accelerated past Sadigov before delivering a superb cross. Church’s run towards the near post distracted the defenders and 23-year-old Edwards placed his shot past Veliyev.

Wales had to show resilience in the second half, however, as their legs tired and Vogts introduced Branimir Subasic, who showed far greater threat than Ramim, whom he replaced.

Fellow substitute Vugar Nadirov’s first touch was a powerful 25-yard shot that swerved in the air and drew a fine save out of Hennessey. The goalkeeper was forced to stop a close-range header and another strong shot as the Azeris battled hard for an equaliser but, just as Subasic narrowly failed to connect with a cross from the right in the closing moments, they fell short.

“All the lads are absolutely drained,” Edwards reflected. “We battled well and were worthy of the three points. Of course, I enjoyed the goal, though I couldn’t really miss. This was a massive game as we were very poor against Finland but we played better against Germany and now we’ve had two good wins in the past 10 days and that will help us to push on in the remaining games.”

Wales, momentarily, moved up to third in Group 4 behind Germany and Russia before Finland came from behind to beat Liechtenstein 2-1, dropping the Welsh back to fourth.

“We’re pleased to have got a positive result in the circumstances,” Toshack declared. “This is a difficult place to come to, the side has done ever so well given the amount of absentees. We kept our discipline and it was a very good effort by all of the players.”

Star Man: David Edwards (Wales)

Yellow cards: Wales: Morgan, Hennessy, Ramsey.

Referee: M Strombergsson (Sweden).

Attendance: 26,728.

AZERBAIJAN: Veliyev (FK Karabakh) 6, Melikov (Neftchi Baku) 6, Levin (Inter Baku) 6, Shukurov (Khazar Lankaran) 5, Nabiyev (Olimpik Baku 7, Huseynov 50min), Bahshiev (Neftchi Baku) 6, Rashad Sadygov (Kocaelispor) 7, Mammadov (Inter Baku) 6, Chertoganov (Simurq Zaqatala) 6, Ramim (FK Baku 5, Subasic HT) Huseynov (Inter Baku) 7.

WALES: Hennessey (Wolves) 7, Eardley (Oldham) 7, Williams (Swansea) 7, Morgan (Peterborough) 6, Nyatanga (Derby) 6, Gunter (Tottenham) 6, Ledley (Cardiff) 7, Ramsey (Arsenal), Edwards (Wolves) 8, Church (Reading 7, Tudur-Jones 83min), Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest 7, Vokes 70min).