There was good news for the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff as Serbia struck late on to earn a 1-1 draw with Wales.
Gareth Bale's 26th Wales goal - which moved him to within two of Ian Rush's national record - looked like handing Chris Coleman's side three precious points in Group D.
But Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic headed an equaliser five minutes from time, which Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was unable to claw out after the ball had struck the post.
That was particularly cruel on a Wales side who had seen Bale hit the woodwork at the other end only 50 seconds earlier.
Mitrovic's goal could really hurt Wales in the final World Cup reckoning as the Dragons now trail Ireland by four points at the top of Group D.
Wales' next World Cup test is in Dublin at the end of March and that game now takes on huge significance.
At the same time as the Republic of Ireland notched a terrific win in Austria, Group D rivals Georgia and Moldova played out a 1-1 draw in Tbilisi.
A stunning equaliser from Alexandru Gatcan earned Moldova a share of the spoils.
Georgia took the lead on 16 minutes when midfielder Valeri Qazaishvili cut back inside at the edge of the penalty area before curling his shot low into the far corner.
Moldova, though, grew into the match during the second half and secured a first point of the Group D qualifying campaign with 12 minutes left.
Rostov midfielder Gatcan collected the ball on his chest at the edge of the Georgia penalty area, before firing a dipping volley up over goalkeeper Giorgi Loria into the far corner.
