Former Carlisle Utd loan midfielder hails Republic of Ireland team-mates after Wales win

Just as they did when world champions Germany arrived in Dublin in October 2015 to keep their Euro 2016 qualification hopes alive, and again when they needed to beat Italy to make it to the knockout stage in France, Ireland beat Wales 1-0 to clinch a place in November's play-offs.

Arter said: "That's one thing I feel the group is good at.

"I look at the Euros and the result against Italy sticks out, and you take confidence from performances like that.

"When the big occasions come - Germany at home last year - we rise to the occasion. One thing that we'll probably be kicking ourselves about is looking at some of the games in the group that we could have got a result in.

"But ultimately we came here against Wales, who needed the same thing against us, and it was a tight game, but our determination got us there.

"It's what this group is made of. We are fighters.

"We might not be blessed with superstars like other nations, but we have got the togetherness and the willingness to get results, and that's what pulled us through."

Arter, who Greg Abbott tried to sign on a permanent deal in 2011, was asked to provide energy and impetus in midfield.

He played a significant role in James McClean's winner.

The final whistle sparked celebrations at the Cardiff City Stadium and, with the two-legged play-off to come next month, there could yet be better to come.

Arter said: "These moments you really want to try to take it in.

"In football, you have a lot more lows than you do highs and when you have a moment like that, you want to sit back and really take it in.

"When I reflected on it, the only similar feeling was when I got promoted with Bournemouth to the Premier League. That was the best experience I've had in football.

"This definitely is up there with it."

Of Wales' starting line-up, James Chester and Tom Lawrence had loan spells with the Brunton Park outfit.