Suiza 4 - 1 Gales

Valentin Stocker struck twice as Switzerland sent Wales crashing to their third successive Euro 2012 qualifying defeat.

• Flynn wants Wales job

Brian Flynn's side performed creditably for most of a pulsating contest at Basle's St Jakob Park but a Gokhan Inler penalty and Stocker's second finished them off in the final eight minutes.

Gareth Bale was a constant threat to the Swiss and cancelled out an early Stocker goal after 13 minutes but the hosts soon reclaimed a lead they did not surrender through Marco Streller.

It made for a miserable 55th birthday for Flynn who, in his second and final match as caretaker manager, was hoping to prove his suitability for the job full time.

He now faces an anxious wait while Wales, whose qualification hopes were already in tatters, must now accept their long wait to reach a major tournament goes on.

For much of the game they had threatened to at least get themselves up and running in the campaign after losses to Montenegro and Bulgaria.

They attacked at every opportunity and in Bale had a man that worried the Swiss, but defensive mistakes proved their undoing.

They had a moment of alarm inside the opening minute but Stocker scuffed a shot and the visitors cleared.

They responded with an attack of their own as Bale surged down the left but Andy King stabbed wide.

Switzerland suffered a blow after eight minutes as goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, returning after missing Friday's loss to Montenegro through injury, was forced off.

Marco Wolfli took his place and had been on the field just a matter of seconds when the Swiss launched an attack that led to their opening goal.

Wayne Hennessey did well to beat out a fierce drive from Tranquillo Barnetta but Streller nodded across the six-yard box for Stocker to head home.

Welsh heads did not drop and they produced the perfect reply five minutes later as the lively Andrew Crofts won a 50-50 ball and sent Bale racing through on goal.

The Tottenham star showed a cool head to lift the ball over the advancing Wolfli for Wales' first goal of the competition.

James Collins went close to adding a second when he met a Bale corner with a powerful header but Wolfli saved.

Wales were exposed again after 21 minutes as Blake missed a chance to clear and Inler clipped the ball into the box. Streller made no mistake as he flicked the ball past Hennessey with his left foot.

Simon Church looked lively for Wales and shot over from the edge of the area after a good run and then saw another attempt forced narrowly wide.

Wales' bold approach continued to leave them vulnerable at the back and they were almost caught on the half-hour when captain Ashley Williams missed a header and Streller raced through.

The Basle forward, playing in front of his home fans, charged into the area but cut back onto his left foot and Williams recovered to block. Switzerland clearly recognised Bale as the Wales dangerman and both Stephan Lichtsteiner and Barnetta were booked for crude challenges on the left winger.

Bale also required treatment for a facial injury before the break but soon rejoined the action.

Wales had the first chance of the second half as Darcy Blake crossed for King but the Leicester man headed over.

Despite that positive contribution, Blake had endured some difficult moments on his international debut and was caught out as Stocker raced into the box to meet a cross with a bullet header.

Hennessey made a brilliant save but Flynn took action moments later as Blake was replaced by Christian Ribeiro.

Bristol City defender Ribeiro was soon into the action, heading away another dangerous cross to set up a Bale charge but the break amounted to little as David Vaughan mishit a cross.

Wales survived a scare after 62 minutes when Hennessey miskicked a clearance straight to Streller on the edge of the box.

A third Swiss goal looked inevitable but Streller's shot bobbled across goal and beyond the far post.

Bale launched another quick counter-attack down the left and picked out Church in the box but his first-time shot flew wide.

The Swiss hit back with Reto Ziegler forcing Hennessey to save with his feet and Stocker put the rebound over.

The match was settled eight minutes from time when referee Alain Hamer harshly penalised James Collins for a trip on Barnetta and pointed to the spot.

Inler made no mistake and it got worse for Wales as Stocker turned home an Eren Derdiyok cross with 89 minutes on the clock.

# Flynn wants Wales job

Brian Flynn declared he is still the man to lead Wales despite seeing his side crash to a heavy defeat in Switzerland.

"Perversely I would like it even more. Having worked with them for the last 10 days, it has been a joy. They have done their very best and I feel I can still get more out of them. There is more to come and I am the man for the job. I have no doubt about my credentials.

"Unfortunately the record will show 4-1, but it wasn't that,'' Flynn said. "The key moments in the game hurt us badly. I was proud of the lads, I thought we were excellent (in the) first half.

"We couldn't maintain the momentum as much in the second half but it is cruel to come away and lose 4-1 like that, very cruel. The lads did as much as they possibly could.''

Unless a friendly is arranged for next month, Wales do not have a game until February and have time to advertise the post. Flynn said: "It hasn't improved my position, two defeats.

"They haven't spoken to me since the initial meeting we had a month ago, when it was clearly stated that following the two games there would be a shortlist drawn up and interviews would take place. I don't know the timescale but I imagine I will be informed what the process is in the near future.''

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was pleased with a victory that keeps his team's hopes of progression alive. "Unfortunately we conceded but the team reacted well and showed they were willing to battle.

"When Alex Frei dropped back into midfield we were able to get a better a hold on the game. We did not want to hold a 2-1 lead but score a third goal. The key moment was the penalty and I was very pleased Gokhan Inler kept a cool head to score. Valentin Stocker then got the opportunity to score a second goal in his home stadium but compliments to the whole team.''