Substitute Ivica Vastic and Stuttgart’s Martin Stranzl grabbed the crucial goals that leave Wales hopelessly adrift now in Group Six.

Wales had their chances, particularly a fine effort from Ryan Giggs in the first half, but they conceded too much space to the Austrians and defended too deep, and were punished in the end.

The feel-great factor, no doubt from last weekend’s Grand Slam triumph in this same arena, saw a 47,000-plus crowd for a match that is unlikely now to provide an entrant into the finals in 2006.

Last weekend this stadium was rocking with national pride, this time around the fans left in near silence.

Toshack utilised his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation with Carl Robinson and Carl Fletcher as deep holding midfielders, but the Welsh seemed tentative early on with their attacking options failing to make a real impression.

The Austrians, having held England in their opening match, are no mugs even if they were depleted here in Cardiff and there was strength in the tackle and link play that had Wales stretched.

But when Wales started to get the ball forward they should have scored. Giggs, skipper on his 50th appearance for his country, took a Mark Delaney throw and found instant space with an excellent first touch to fire over a hanging cross that dropped perfectly onto the head of Robinson, unmarked on the six yard line, but the Sunderland man could only head weakly into the grateful arms of Helge Payer.

Austria hit back with a quick break from defence that saw Roland Kirchler set up Markus Katzer for a 10 yard effort that he could only lift over the bar.

Then twice in as many minutes the Austrians wasted good chances to go ahead. First Stranzl found himself in the box but with a clear target to aim at managed to hit the side netting.

Sixty seconds later Rene Aufhauser had an equally clear sight of goal, but Danny Coyne did well to hang onto the fierce drive.

But a flash of sheer quality almost produced what would have been a very special goal from Giggs.

He took possession from Delaney on the right, superbly side stepped two defenders before unleashing a 12 yard drive that Payer beat away at full stretch.

Andreas Ivanschitz saw a 15 yarder flash a foot wide and Kirchler was denied a close range shooting chance by the combined efforts of Robert Page and then Coyne, neither side at this point having stamped any sort of authority on the game.

Wales seemed content for Giggs to work the right flank, and from one clever ball from the captain to Delaney, a cross was arrowing onto Hartson’s head only for a stunning saving header from Anton Elmann to block the effort.

Everton target Aufhauser was constantly finding space in midfield, losing Fletcher and Robinson with ease, and he saw a a 25 yarder fizz wide before Emanuel Pogatez was booked for a foul on Hartson.

Pogatez was lucky to get away with a clear hand ball under pressure in the air from Hartson, the Welsh being so certain about it that they all stopped and turned to referee Paul Allaerts, who did nothing.

Katzer was then booked for a nasty foul on Craig Bellamy before a fine move between Giggs, Hartson and Bellamy ended with Simon Davies seeing a dipping drive touched over the bar by Payer.

But Austria wasted another fine chance when Ivanschitz was presented with a 12 yard chance, dead centre and in yards of space, but managed to lift the effort over the bar.

Ivica Vastic then came on for Mario Haas a minute later and his introduction saw Austria finally took the lead on 81 minutes when Wales were caught out short of numbers by a quick break and Kirchler set up Vastic to slam home from 12 yards.

Wales were looking ragged now and they conceded a second on 86 minutes when a dreadful mix-up between Page and Gabbidon allowed Stranzl the chance to score from eight yards.