WALES' patched-up side won their third Euro 2004 qualifying match on the bounce here in Azerbaijan this afternoon - creating a little bit of history in the process.

Mark Hughes's men left Baku five points clear of Yugoslavia at the top of group nine thanks to goals from captain Gary Speed and superb John Hartson.

The 2-0 victory means Wales have won their first three qualification games for the first time ever - and completed a memorable competitive hat-trick for the first time since 1980.

Speed's first goal for two years in the opening ten minutes set up the win and Hartson's eighth international goal completed a professional job.

The defeat means Azerbaijan have only won three times in 42 competitive matches - and places Wales as red hot favourites to qualify for Portugal 2004.

Wales are now eight games unbeaten under Hughes.

Mark Hughes' hand was forced to name a patched up side here in Azerbaijan this afternoon as Daniel Gabbidon joined three other high profile members of the Welsh team on the treatment table.

Gabbidon, born and raised in Cwmbran, has been having extensive treatment to a troubled back problem for the past ten days after he hobbled out of Cardiff City's second division draw at Barnsley.

But Hughes decided to give the 23-year-old centre half all the time he needed to recover for this crunch Euro 2004 group nine qualifier in Baku, however it was decided by the player himself just an hour before kick-off that he would not be ready.

Gabbidon is replaced by Sheffield United defender Robert Page, who wins his 26th cap, alongside Fulham's veteran centre half Andy Melville.

Another change in the Welsh rearguard sees Grimsby Town left back Darren Barnard come in as skipper Gary Speed moves into his usual midfield role where Wales are lacking in strength due to the injuries of Birmingham City midfielder Robbie Savage (groin) and Evertons Mark Pembridge (calf).

Portsmouth ball winner Carl Robinson, who has played a major part in Harry Redknapps renaissance at the first division club, also is named in the centre of the park alongside Tottenham Hotspur starlet Simon Davies.

Cardiff City's potent goal scorer Robert Earnshaw, who has scored 16 times for Bluebirds this season and is the second division's second highest top scorer, makes his first competitive start on the right hand side of a five man midfield with wing wonder Ryan Giggs starting on the left.

Hughes's men looked jittery and nervous in the opening five minutes of this clash on the shores of the Caspian Sea and midfielder Samir Aliyev went close on two occasions the latter causing the Welsh stopper Paul Jones to make a fine diving save.

Wales were quickly into their rhythm and Ryan Giggs should have put the visitors ahead in the 9th minute after good work from big John Hartson down the left flank. The Celtic frontman teed up Giggs but Azeri keeper Bjahandir Gasanzabekh parried and then got up quickly to block the rebound.

And from the resulting corner Wales took the lead.

Skipper Gary Speed led by example as he rose unchallenged to head Simon Davies' left wing corner into the back of the net.

And Giggs again should have made it two seven minutes later as pint sized Earnshaw picked up a Hartson flick on, ran at the hosts' defence before laying it off to Giggs but the Manchester United idol had his shot blocked by Ilhan Yadullayev.

Wales continued to press and Hartson headed Delaney's right wing cross straight down to Gasanzabekh throat.

Tricky Aliyev continued to pose a threat to the Welsh back line and Jones was forced to make a fine stop as the Volnvolyn player looked certain to level matters in the 25th minute.

Hartson, an injury scare before kick-off, was a lick of paint away from doubling Wales' advantage.

The Swansea-born striker swivelled to half volley Speed knocked down but he fierce strike crashed against the underside of the crossbar and bounced to safety.

Speed's aerial threat was causing the Azeri back line some problems and he again span off his marker seven minutes before the break to meet another Davies corner but this time his weaker effort was no problem for Gasanzabekh.

The Welsh were again slow out in the box after the half time interval as the Azeri looked for a leveller but Hughes' men held firm.

Carl Robinson would have hoped to have done better when he volleyed Giggs knock on well wide.

Azerbaijan always looked incapable of dealing with crosses into their own penalty area and Hartson exploited that to the full in the 68th minute.

The cumbersome hitman rose well to glance Davies' left wing in swinging free kick past the despairing guise of Gasanzabekh and into the corner of the net.

But two minutes after Wales' second Hughes was forced to withdraw Delaney who looked as if he had a hamstring problem.

Cardiff City defender Rhys Weston came off the bench and has proved in the past to be an able deputy.

Jones was again forced to save Wales after a Darren Barnard slip allowed a Azeri substitute Farrujh Asmaylov and his shot was saved by Southampton keeper Jones at his near post as Wales hung on for a deserved win.

Wales: P Jones, M Delaney, P Barnard, A Melville, R Page, G Speed (captain), C Robinson, R Earnshaw, J Hartson, S Davies, R Giggs. Subs: M Crossley, P Evans, J Thomas, R Weston, P Trollope, A Williams, N Roberts.