Spirited Wales produced fine first half goals from Robbie Savage and Craig Bellamy in this World Cup group five game between two sides who have failed to qualify.

Manchester United's Ronnie Johnsen netted a Norway equaliser between Wales' two strikes in a fiercely contested clash.

Wales made predictable changes by bringing back John Hartson up front after suspension for Iwan Roberts, while Robert Page took over in defence from the suspended Andy Melville.

But Darren Barnard and John Robinson - both back in the squad after injuries - were only fit enough to be risked on the substitutes' bench, which must be a blow for boss Mark Hughes who values both players' crossing ability highly.

Norway, whose manager Nils Semb is under huge pressure because of their failure to qualify from Group Five despite being top seeds, brought in Liverpool's new teenager John Arne Riise for Andre Bergdolmo from the side that lost in Poland on Saturday.

Norway had problems from the kick-off when Steffen Iverson fell heavily after challenging Mark Delaney in the air for the ball. He limped off in obvious pain from his right ankle, and despite intensive touchline treatment he was replaced by Valencia's striker John Carew.

And on nine minutes Wales took a sensational lead. Ryan Giggs, Simon Davies and Steve Jenkins combined with an excellent one touch move, ending with a cross from the Huddersfield man that Johnsen headed out.

But it only reached Savage just outside the box, and the Leicester man volleyed a superb dipping 25-yarder past Thomas Myhre into the top corner.

Norway hit back with a cross from Christer Basma that was allowed to reach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 10 yards out, but his instant shot was held by Paul Jones.

But it did not take Norway long to equalise. Jan Sorensen outpaced Jenkins down the right and laid the ball back for Solskjaer to hit instantly. Jones made a fine save but the ball bounced across the six-yard box for Johnsen to hook into the net.

Hartson was having a rare old battle with Johnsen, and on 27 minutes was instrumental in creating Wales' second.

Page's free kick from the half way line reached Hartson on the edge of the box and the Celtic man held off Johnsen and chested the ball down for Ryan Giggs. The Wales skipper's 18 yard drive was only half stopped by Myhre, and the ball bounced out for Craig Bellamy to gleefully drive home.

On 43 minutes Wales could have made it three. Savage's excellent pass out to Bellamy saw the Newcastle forward win a fierce challenge with Riise and accelerate into yards of space before hitting a dipping 20 yard shot that flew just over the bar, Bellamy failing to realise he had time and space to drive on into the box before shooting.