PAUL Parry believes last night's match with Northern Ireland showed Wales DO have the quality to qualify for the World Cup, but he admits they have made a far from ideal start.

The Chepstow-born star told the Argus: "If we are going to do well in the campaign then looking at the first two games realistically we needed to pick up six points.

"But if we go and do the unexpected and win at Old Trafford then this result will be forgotten about and we have to potential to do that.

"It is a tough group but I think any team can beat any team on the day so we have it all to play for. When I came on we were 2-1 down and they were sitting back and trying to defend their lead and despite scoring the equaliser we just couldn't get the winner, but we really tried everything we could."

Parry also refused to lay any blame on his Cardiff team-mate James Collins, whose mistake led to Northern Ireland's second goal.

"James Collins is a bit down about things after the second goal but he was just unlucky.

"He slipped and then they scored but these things happen in football.

"Certainly none of the lads are laying any blame on him and hopefully he'll pick his spirits up quickly.

"The referee spoilt the game by sending off two players so early on but even against nine men a 2-0 deficit is difficult to overturn."

Goalkeeper Paul Jones, who many criticised for not saving a 35 yard free-kick in Azerbaijan on Saturday, also leapt to the defence of Collins and Robbie Savage, who was sent off after nine minutes.

Jones said: "Unfortunately the flicked header left James Collins as the last defender and he has lost his footing and slipped over and Healy was able to just flick it over me and head into an empty net.

"It is just one of those things and I know James is very down about it. But against nine men we should have still won that game and it is a massive task to try and qualify now.

"We need to win an away game now and without Robbie Savage who will be suspended.

"It was a horrendous tackle on Robbie and he got up angrily because that tackle could have broken his leg.

"He said to me that he didn't strike Michael Hughes and I think he was definitely unlucky, players reacted because the tackle was so bad."