Goce Sedloski, who would later be sent-off, scored the opener in the first half but that was cancelled out shortly after the interval by Srna.

The midfielder then laid on the winner for Eduardo Da Silva late on to keep Croatia at the top of Group E.

Ten minutes passed before the game's first shot, a Milan Rapaic effort for Croatia that sailed harmlessly over the bar.

The visitors signalled their intent when Goran Maznov's floated corner found its way to Ilco Naumoski in the six-yard box, but he failed to connect cleanly, allowing a thankful Josip Simunic to clear.

Rapaic was wayward from distance again before he almost turned provider, finding Marko Babic in the area, who headed wastefully over.

Then after 36 minutes came the goal which shocked the home crowd.

Dario Simic fouled Naumoski and from the resulting free-kick, Sedloski thumped the ball low past Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa from 25 yards.

The goal knocked Croatia out of their stride as the half wound down.

Niko Kranjcar had two efforts from distance in first-half stoppage time, the first the better of the two as he brought out an excellent parried save from Jane Nikolovski in the Macedonia goal.

Rapaic was replaced by Srna at half-time and his first act was to shoot narrowly over the bar when a composed finished would have been better.

His second, though, was all important as he hauled Croatia level in the 58th minute.

After a foul on Simunic 20 yards out, Srna thumped home the free-kick high into the centre of the goal.

Goran Pandev brought a sharp stop out of Pletikosa only moments before Sedloski was dismissed for a second bookable offence with a little over 20 minutes left.

Babic shot wide and Srna found Nikolovski's gloves as Croatia scented blood and they breached a retreating defence two minutes from time when Srna crossed for Eduardo to convert from close range.