IS A DINAMO!
Lawrence has Bale of a time in Tbilisi
behind Sam Vokes in an adventurous front three. And it took only three minutes for Wales to unlock the Georgia defence.
Lawrence drifted in from the left wing and played Ramsey in behind the defence, but he fired wide of the target.
Wales had to cope with a spell of pressure from the hosts before Joe Allen’s scoop pass set up Andy King, but his misshit volley lost pace after bouncing into the ground and Georgia escaped.
The Leicester midfielder showed his ability in the air moments later to head Ashley Williams’ long ball into Ramsey’s path.
The Wales playmaker sent an inch-perfect ball across the face of goal for Vokes, who was off celebrating, only for his effort to creep wide. Lawrence screwed a shot just wide before the hosts had a golden opportunity to derail the qualification dream.
Otar Kakabadze made room on the right wing and crossed for striker Girogi Kvilitaia, but he failed to hit the target with a weak header and the Welsh fans were content to go in level at the break.
Four minutes into the second half it was unlikely hero Lawrence who made the breakthrough in Tbilisi.
Curled
Lawrence collected Ramsey’s pass and turned skillfully. He took two touches and fired a lethal shot from 25 yards into the far corner of the net.
Lawrence could have made it two when he cut inside off the left moments later, but this time his effort curled wide.
Another chance to make it 2-0 went begging moments later after Giorgi Loria palmed Ramsey’s shot into the path of Vokes, but the Georgia keeper prevented him getting an effort on goal.
And Wales were almost punished when winger Giorgi Merebashvili cut inside to call Dragons keeper Wayne Hennessey into action, the Crystal Palace stopper managing to hold on.
The visitors had to hang on in the closing minutes and only some lastditch defending from Ben Davies ensured they protected their lead.
The Spurs left-back diverted a dangerous cross away from goal from under his own crossbar.
Georgia caught the Wales back four napping again but Kakabadze crossed to noone when it seemed easier to shoot. GEORGIA (4-3-3): Loria; Navaloski, Kashia, Kverkvelia, Kakabadze; Kazaishvili, Kvekveskiri (Jigauri 76), Merebashvili; Gvilia (Khocholava 89), Kankava, Kvilitaia (Skhitladze 76). Subs: Makaridze, Lobjanidze, Kiteishvili, Dvalishvili, Chanturia, Dvali, Hufnagel, Aburjania, Kvaskhvadze. WALES (4-3-3): Hennessey; Gunter, Williams, Chester, Davies; King, Ledley (Edwards 81), Allen; Lawrence (Woodburn 90), Ramsey, Vokes (Robson-Kanu 74). Subs: Ward, Bradshaw, Lockyer, Ampadu, Maxwell, Brooks, J Williams, Taylor, Hedges. Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain).