WALES crashed out of World Cup contention last night after a devastating 3-2 defeat against Poland at the Millennium Stadium, in Mark Hughes final game as manager.

On a desperate night for Welsh football Poland delivered the ultimate sucker punch by coming from behind to score three late goals in a 13 minute spell, on the same night that skipper Gary Speed announced his international retirement.

But Speed could be back in the Wales set-up sooner rather than later after he was given unanimous backing from the Welsh players to succeed the departing Hughes, on an emotionally charged evening.

Wales now stand fifth in group six with just two points from four games and they trail second placed Poland by eight points, which means they now need a miracle to qualify for the World Cup.

It is a result that will have serious implications for the future of Welsh football and things are now as bleak as they have been for sometime.

Any hopes the FAW may have harboured for attracting a top class manager have gone out of the window and Wales are also certain to find themselves well down the rankings by the time Euro 2008 qualification is on the agenda, meaning they will be in an even tougher group than the one they are in now.

Gary Speed has already announced his intention to step down (as a player at least) and the likes of Robbie Savage, Ryan Giggs and John Hartson are also likely to examine their futures in the wake of last night's game.

So after the highs of beating Italy and almost qualifying for the European Championships Wales now find themselves back to square one, rooted close to the bottom of the football scrap heap.