It is 12 years since Wales last played in Skopje and their then manager Chris Coleman arrived uncomfortably late after losing his passport.
More than a decade on, Craig Bellamy’s side left a much more professional impression, even if it took a last-gasp equaliser from the substitute David Brooks to rescue a point that preserves his manager’s unbeaten record and Welsh hopes of another World Cup qualification.
With both goals arriving in stoppage time Bellamy was left more than a little stunned. “My main reaction? Probably shock. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. It was a game we were more in control of than I thought we’d be. I really liked us. We were really good. We didn’t deserve to lose.”
Given that North Macedonia had won their six previous games without conceding a goal and Wales were unbeaten in seven matches under Bellamy, something had to give. When Bojan Miovski scored a fine 91st-minute goal the visitors looked set to lose a qualifier they really should have won and the relief at the final whistle prompted untrammelled Welsh celebrations.
The night had begun on a much more sombre note. For the first time since taking charge, Bellamy wore a suit. It was a mark of respect to the 59 people who died in a nightclub fire in the North Macedonian town of Kocani, a tragedy remembered by an impeccably observed minute’s silence before kick-off.
Blagoja Milevski’s decision to switch his formation to a back five seemed sensible as Wales enjoyed prolonged periods of fast-paced possession on a slick surface as they dominated an initial 90 minutes low on clearcut chances.
There were moments when Bellamy could have done with turning back time and joining his attack. But, obdurate as the home defence proved, that rearguard almost cracked when Sorba Thomas could not quite make the most of a fine cross from the Leeds winger Dan James.
In an intriguing subplot featuring Elland Road regulars past and present, James sporadically tormented Ezgjan Alioski, North Macedonia’s former Leeds left wing-back. Alioski plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ahli these days but he could conceivably have beaten Karl Darlow – currently the second-choice goalkeeper at Elland Road – had his audaciously ambitious first-half volley been a little better weighted.
With North Macedonia increasingly double marking James, Bellamy’s creative players struggled to turn territorial domination into material advantage.
The moment when Brennan Johnson’s quick feet and faster brain conjured a fine chance Nathan Broadhead could only send swerving over the crossbar appeared emblematic of his manager’s technical area frustration.
Yet if the more pessimistic among the 2,000 Wales fans who had travelled to one of Europe’s most interesting, least generic capitals feared their team could come undone against skilled counterattacking opponents, such anxieties were assuaged by a commanding central defensive performance on the part of Joe Rodon and his sidekick, Chris Mepham.
Tellingly it was midway through the second half when Darlow was called to arms, showing off sharp reflexes and a strong hand to deny Darko Churlinov.
When Johnson’s shot was cleared off the line North Macedonia perhaps decided that attack might be the best form of defence after all and reverted to a back four. It almost brought swift reward when Alioski shot narrowly wide.
Then Joe Allen lost concentration and permitted Miovski to intercept a tired pass backwards intended for Rodon.
Little did Miovski know that Kieffer Moore’s headed flick and Brooks’ instinctive connection would shortly combine to remind everyone that Bellamy’s Wales do not know the meaning of surrender.
