NEWPORT County AFC defender Matt Baker came through unscathed as Wales held on for a vital 2-1 win in Iceland in their European Under-21 Championship qualifier in Reykjavik.

Matty Jones’ side secured the spoils to move five points clear of their hosts, who have two games left to play in the group.

Wales are level with Group I leaders and favourites Denmark with one fixture to play when they host Czech Republic at Rodney Parade on Friday, October 11 (kick-off 5.30pm).

The Danes host Iceland the following Tuesday with the table-toppers qualifying for the tournament in Slovakia and runners-up going into the play-offs in November for the last three spots in the finals.

County will have been relieved to see Baker complete the 90 minutes; the centre-back should be back to slot into a rejigged defence at Swindon on Saturday.

Head coach Nelson Jardim is already without the injured James Clarke and suspended Ciaran Brennan and Kyle Jameson, with the extent of an injury to right-back Shane McLoughlin yet to be disclosed.

The Exiles will have to be on their guard against Wales’ two-goal hero Joel Cotterill in Wiltshire.

The 19-year-old, on loan at Swindon from Swansea, landed the two crucial blows in the second half before Oskar Borgthorsson pulled one back late on to make it a nervy finish.

Wales started brightly with Cotterill and Joel Colwill, who has scored three goals in two games against the Exiles for Cheltenham this season, threatening before captain Fin Stevens hit a post.

The first half became scrappy but Wales seized control two minutes after the break when Cotterill beat Lukas Petersson with a nice finish.

Petersson then saved from Cotterill, Colwill and Josh Thomas before the visitors doubled their advantage as Cotterill finished off a fine team move after 72 minutes.

Borgthorsson gave Iceland hope in stoppage time but it proved too little too late for the hosts.