READING FC full-back Chris Gunter helped Wales get their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a perfect start with a 4-0 victory against Moldova in Cardiff last night.

Gunter, 27, gained his 74th cap for Wales in their opening Group D fixture, having played every minute of their Euro 2016 effort which saw Chris Coleman's Dragons reach the semi finals before losing to eventual winners, Portugal.

First-half goals from Sam Vokes and Joe Allen put Wales in command against Moldova before Garath Bale scored twice in the second half, one of them a penalty.

Ex-Reading winger, Hal Robson-Kanu, who joined West Brom as a free agent last week, also came off the bench in the comfortable victory.

And Gunter admits the success they tasted at Euro 2016 has made the Wales team even more determined to reach the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

“That's only going to help, what we've been through,” said the ex-Cardiff City and Tottenham full-back.

“It's not a case of now we've done it that people will be taking it easy or the hunger won't be the same.

“It can only be more because when we were there, it was some of the best weeks we've ever had in our lives.”

Royals duo Stephen Quinn and Paul McShane were also on international duty on Monday night as Republic of Ireland drew 2-2 in Serbia in Group D.

Daryl Murphy headed a late equaliser for Martin O'Neill's men after Filip Kostic and Dusan Tadic had given Serbia a 2-1 lead following Jeff Hendrick's opener.

Both Quinn and McShane were unused substitutes on the night.

Meanwhile, summer signing Sandro Wieser started for Liechtenstein in their 8-0 thrashing by Spain in Group G.

All four players will re-join Jaap Stam's Royals camp tomorrow in preparation for Friday night's televised Championship clash against Ipswich Town at Madejski Stadium (8pm ko, live Sky Sports).