Austria are on the brink of qualifying for the European Championships for the first time in their history after a hard-fought victory over Moldova.

Das Team were roared onto the pitch by a sell-out crowd at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna and the home support were almost rewarded with an early breakthrough when David Alaba dragged his shot wide of the target.

© Getty Images

Austria thought they had scored before half time when Zlatko Junuzovic's slide-rule pass found Marko Arnautovic who found the back of the net, but he was deemed to be offside.

However, they finally took the lead just after the interval when Ilie Cebanu could only parry Alaba's shot into the path of Junuzovic, who fired the rebound beyond the reach of the Moldovan stopper.

© Getty Images

The Werder Bremen midfielder almost double his side's advantage on 55 minutes when his strike from the edge of the area was saved by Cebanu.

As the home side dominated possession, they continued to search for a second goal, but both Marc Janko and Aleksandar Dragovic squandered chances.

Moldova provided a scare for Austria on 70 minutes when keeper Robert Almer needed to be alert to stop Nicolae Milinceanu's strike.

However, Austria managed to hold on for a victory that moves them seven points clear at the top.