Milan Jovanovic put them ahead in the 18th minute and it was 2-0 to the visitors when Dorel Stoica put through his own net in the 44th minute.

But Romania would not go away, with Ciprian Marica getting them back in it five minutes after the re-start.

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic extended the Serbia lead in the 59th minute, but Stoica ensured a nervy finish as he found the right net 16 minutes from time.

Franck Ribery breathed new life into France's stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign as his second-half winner earned his team a 1-0 triumph against Lithuania in Kaunas tonight.

The Bayern Munich winger's swerving left-foot shot in the 67th minute bagged Les Bleus a deserved three points that keeps them in the hunt for top spot in the group.

The French remain in third place but narrow the gap to the second-placed Lithuanians to just two points and, although they remain five points behind Serbia, they have a game in hand on the top two.

On an uneven pitch and in cold conditions, France were in control throughout but it looked like they were going to fail to turn their dominance into goals before Ribery struck.

The result will take some of the heat off under-pressure Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech and he will now be eyeing another victory over Lithuania on Wednesday at the Stade de France which would leave them within touching distance of Serbia who do not play until September.