Serbia 1-1 Wales: Aleksandar Mitrovic sends hosts back to top of the group after cancelling out Aaron Ramsey's chipped penalty in World Cup qualifier

• Serbia reclaimed top spot in Group D of the World Cup qualifiers after coming back to draw against Wales
• Aaron Ramsey converted from the penalty spot just before half-time when he dinked past the keeper
• The referee awarded the penalty after Luka Milivojevic was deemed to have pulled Sam Vokes' shirt in the box
• Joe Allen was shown a yellow card which means he will miss Wales's next match against Austria in Cardiff
• Aleksandar Mitrovic then gained parity after smashing home past Wayne Hennessey in the second half  

History repeated itself in more ways than one at the Rajko Mitic Stadium on Sunday night.

First there was Aaron Ramsey's glorious reprisal of the Panenka penalty that was first seen at this ground in 1976 as Czechoslovakia won the inaugural European Championship.

Then there was Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring a late equaliser to shatter Welsh resistance seven months after he did the same in Cardiff.

FACTS AND RATINGS

Serbia (3-4-2-1): Stojkovic 5.5; Ivanovic 6, Nastasic 7, Vukovic 6; Rukavina 7.5, Matic 7, Milivojevic 6 (Gudelj 63min, 6.5), Kolarov 6.5; Kostic 6 (Prijovic 67, 7), Tadic 7.5; Mitrovic 7.5

Scorer: Mitrovic 73

Booked: Stojkovic, Milivojevic, Matic

Wales (3-4-2-1): Hennessey 6; Chester 7, Williams 7, Davies 8; Gunter 6, Allen 8.5, Ledley 7.5, Richards 7.5; Ramsey 8, Edwards 7 (Huws 73, 6); Vokes 7 (Lawrence 86).

Scorer: Ramsey 35 pen

Booked: Allen, Richards

Man of the match: Joe Allen

Referee: Jorge Sousa (Portugal)

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Minus Gareth Bale and in the knowledge a draw was the result in Group D's other meaningful game in Dublin, Wales would have taken a point before kick-off. But having led for 40 minutes it will be another case of regret at what might have been.

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This was the fourth match in six World Cup qualifying games that Chris Coleman's side have led but failed to win. They have never been behind but a fifth draw in a row leaves no margin for error.

They stay four points behind leaders Serbia and Republic of Ireland with four matches left and victory in all might be required to reach Russia 2018.

This contest will be remembered best for Ramsey's contribution from the spot in the 35th minute, arguably an upgrade on the original made famous by Antonin Panenka 41 years ago. Ramsey did know this was the same site but his impudent chip was a fine tribute all the same.

In the most pressurised of circumstances Ramsey was brave and skilled. As everyone connected to Wales held their breath, the Arsenal midfielder lofted the ball delicately into the opposite corner to the direction Vladimir Stojkovic dived. There was a second when it appeared he had messed up but then the net rippled; the placement was perfect.

'I had no doubt he would score, but I didn't see that coming,' said Coleman. 'He's playing with such confidence at the moment, his overall performance was absolutely outstanding, he seems to thrive on that responsibility, it's not the first time he's run a game for us. His input tonight was immense.'

More of the same will be required in September's double header against Austria and Moldova, with Joe Allen suspended from the first game after picking up a booking here.

Bale will be back though and while this result was short of a win to shake up the standings the performance after being beaten 6-1 in this country in 2012 proves Wales do not depend entirely on the Real Madrid forward.

'Mixed emotions really because we took the lead,' said Coleman. 'I think we learned a lot from Serbia five years ago when we were beaten heavily, so we knew we had to come here and play hard. We had a game plan and the players stuck to that, I'm really proud of them.

'I think realistically if we want to finish first, we need four wins. If we want to take our chance in a play-off it's at least three wins and a draw. We're still chasing, but let's see what happens.'

The breakthrough came when Stojkovic attempted to ferry out Ben Davies' long pass but Ramsey chased hard and nipped in, prompting a tug from Nottingham Forest's No 1. Yellow rather than red was referee Manuel De Sousa's decision, a fortunate call for Serbia. He lent Wales's way seconds later though. 

Joe Ledley's free-kick on the edge of the area found Sam Vokes, whose header went harmlessly over. But De Sousa had spotted a tug from Luka Milivojevic and pointed to the spot. It was a golden ticket seized by Ramsey in spectacular style.

As Wales celebrated the Serbian fans showed their ire, running at the fence separating the two groups and pulling down flags. Missiles and punches were thrown from both sides and it was a good few minutes before riot police arrived to quell the troubling scenes.

The atmosphere remained on the edge into the second half and De Sousa was frequently the subject. The whole Serbian bench leapt up to appeal for a penalty for handball four minutes after the restart and Wales began to get deep to protect their lead.

Serbia levelled through their first shot on target with 17 minutes left. Ashley Williams was just unable to reach Aleksander Prijovic's pass and Mitrovic produced a clinical finish.

Wales did not sink back however, and must take significant credit for that. They did create more good openings and when Allen fed Ramsey with 10 minutes to go it seemed they would reclaim the lead. But Stojkovic found a superb save from Ramsey's flicked shot and the ball went just wide.