Wales manager Gary Speed conceded his side had exceeded his expectations after rounding their European Championship qualifying Group G campaign off with a 1-0 victory in Bulgaria on Tuesday night.

A goal from the outstanding Gareth Bale secured the result that gave Wales back-to-back wins in competitive fixtures for the first time in six years at a sparsely-populated Vasil Levski Stadium, with the majority of home fans electing to boycott the game in protest over the state of a national side that have now lost five games on the trot.

Wales, with Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen excelling in midfield, looked a completely different proposition from the side that lost their opening four games of this campaign.

They finish the group with three wins from their final four games, although it was not enough to secure a third-placed finish due to Switzerland's win over Montenegro.

Speed felt the way his side dealt with the difficulties of a heavy pitch, and playing before a crowd of around 1,000 in a stadium that can hold over 43,000, spoke volumes for their attitude.

"I am really delighted. I was apprehensive before the game to be honest. We have come so far so soon that I was thinking this might be one game too far because of the circumstances the players found themselves in," he said.

"Many of them have not experienced it before. To come to Bulgaria, a place that is difficult to come to and try to grind out a result.

"I would have settled for a draw before the game. I wanted a positive result of any kind because we need this experience to make us better in the future. So to get a win, I did not expect it but it was brilliant.

"All the excuses were there for us, the lack of crowd, the pitch was poor, the ball. Everything was there for us to look for excuses but the players did not use any excuses and got the job done really well, and I am very, very proud."