Harry Wilson inspired a much-changed Wales side to a home Nations League win over Montenegro to extend Craig Bellamy’s unbeaten start as head coach.
Wilson’s penalty put Wales in front during a first half which the hosts dominated thanks largely to the Fulham playmaker’s individual brilliance.
Bellamy’s side were less impressive after the break and were given a fright when Montenegro substitute Andrija Radulovic hammered a 20-yard shot against the crossbar.
However, Wales resisted their opponents’ second-half improvement to earn a second win from four, making Bellamy the first Wales boss to avoid defeat in his first four matches.
Turkey remain top of Group B4 – two points ahead of Wales – following their 4-2 victory in Iceland.
And while this may not have been the most enthralling display of Bellamy’s nascent reign, it provided plenty of encouragement, particularly as this was with a team that showed seven changes from Friday’s 2-2 draw in Iceland.
Bellamy is in the process of instilling an ambitious new playing style, the rewards and pitfalls of which were on show in Reykjavik as Wales led 2-0 at half-time, only to throw away that position of strength.
Setbacks are to be expected in these embryonic stages of Bellamy’s tenure and, although he has only had a few days to work with the players this month and last, since succeeding Robert Page in July, the difference has been striking.
On the ball, Wales are more adventurous and creative as they look to build attacks from all areas of the pitch, while out of possession they press with a far greater intensity.
That was evident again despite Bellamy making seven changes to the team that drew in Iceland, keeping everyone guessing with his personnel as well as his tactical approach.
Wales were quick to gain control, dominating possession and territory against opponents who were content to sit back in an attempt to halt a five-game losing streak.
Wilson and the returning Brooks – starting his first game of the season – probed menacingly for Wales, gliding around the pitch and forcing Montenegro goalkeeper Igor Nikic into saves.
Wilson also created chances for his team-mates, his inviting left-footed cross from the right headed wide by Wes Burns and a delightful through ball leading to a lofted shot over the bar from Liam Cullen.
Montenegro were struggling to get to grips with Wilson and, when he fell under a challenge from Vladimir Jovovic, referee Filip Glova pointed to the spot.
Wilson sent Nikic the wrong way with his low left-footed penalty and became the first Welshman to score in three successive games for his country since Gareth Bale at Euro 2016.
Wales had developed something of a concerning habit in Bellamy’s first three games of faltering in the second half, seemingly struggling to maintain their new boss’ intense new playing style and allowing opponents a route back into the game.
Wilson’s penalty was the fifth goal in four games under Bellamy, all of which had come in the first half. By contrast, all three of the goals they had conceded had come in the second half.
The home side may have worried history was repeating itself when Radulovic rattled the bar from 20 yards.
Wales needed settling, so they brought on an old head – and a familiar face – as Joe Allen returned from international retirement to earn his 75th cap, nearly two years after his 74th.
The introduction of the Swansea City midfielder, a veteran of two European Championships and a World Cup, helped Wales maintain a degree of control, but Montenegro kept growing into the game.
Stevan Jovetic cleared the bar with a wild free-kick and Nikola Krstovic headed over, but Wales had chances too as Burns and Neco Williams went close.
For Bellamy and his players, this was a pleasing riposte to Friday’s second-half collapse in Reykjavik and a result which sets them up for a tilt at top spot in Group B4 when they visit Turkey and host Iceland in their final matches in November.