WALES GAIN BELIEF FROM MOSCOW MISSION

Bale is gutted after missing his penalty.

Captain Simon Davies believes Wales' young side will grow in belief and character after their bitter defeat in Moscow.

Russia, the Euro 2008 semi-finalists, started in stunning form but finished the match glad to hang on to a 2-1 victory in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.

The Fulham midfielder said: "We should have got something from the game. In the first half we were under pressure and couldn't get forward. But after the break things were changed a bit and we really got into it.

"We really gave them a game. We really got at them and should even have won it.

"If we had scored that early penalty (which Gareth Bale missed) it would have given us something to hang on to, but even after that miss we felt we could get something.

"We really played well and that will give us plenty of confidence for the future."

He added: "We showed Russia that there are no easy games. We know we can do better and we know we have played well against a really good side.

"Nobody expected us to get anything. So what we have done in pushing them so hard is to gain a lot more belief in ourselves.

"Hopefully we can take that belief into the next game. This is a tough group but none of the youngsters were overawed by playing against one of the best sides in Europe.

"We must take it on, believe in ourselves and give ourselves a genuine chance of qualifying."

Cardiff youngster Joe Ledley, who bagged Wales' second-half goal, agreed. He said: "Gareth Bale did really well to get to the line, and I was there at the right time to turn it in.

"I was delighted then, but soon very disappointed that we did not get anything from the game.

"But there were more positives for us to take. We worked really well to get past Azerbaijan at the weekend, and then here in Moscow we also worked our way back into the game and certainly deserved a point.

"Now we must look to the next game. We have to get three points against Liechtenstein in our next match before we go to Germany. Looking at the way the group is now, that is a must."

Sam Vokes, 18, made his full debut in the thankless role as a lone front-runner.

He said: "Russia were very strong and for us to get something against them would have been a real boost.

"We know we did well and we have to take that belief into the next game. We were not intimidated by such a great side, and we all believe we could have got that point.

"We can take a lot of positives from this, and now we must make sure we take this belief in ourselves into the rest of the group matches."