Bellamy hits out at 'vicious' Welsh fans

Wales captain Craig Bellamy blasted the "vicious" supporters he believed marred tonight's 2-1 European Championship qualifying win over San Marino.

Robert Earnshaw and Joe Ledley gave John Toshack's side a useful 2-0 half-time lead but, as in Cyprus on Saturday, Wales' performance dropped dramatically after the break, allowing the minnows to pull a goal back and put the victory in doubt.

Bellamy admitted the second-half display was "very poor" but then turned his anger on the 400 or so travelling fans for some of the chanting he claims to have heard.

"I've played for Wales for a number of years and that's one of the worst atmospheres I've been in tonight," Bellamy told BBC2 Wales.

"Some of the chanting early on was vicious.

"I'm proud to play for my country but tonight is the most difficult night I've been involved in."

Bellamy also refused to answer questions about manager Toshack's criticism of his "pampered" side in the wake of the defeat in Cyprus.

Goalscorer Ledley agreed with his skipper that Wales were poor in the second half but put part of the blame on the referee.

"I think we did well in the first half but a bit slow in the second half, gave the ball away too many times," he said.

"I don't think the ref helped us as well. He gave a free-kick away on the edge of our box which wasn't one and they scored a goal."