Wales took an early lead but failed to make their advantage count as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Georgia at the Cardiff City Stadium this evening.
The Dragons, now without a win over their opponents in four attempts, were fortunate to even take a point from the game after seeing the Crusaders come closest to scoring a decisive third of the night.
Chris Coleman's side temporarily extend their lead at the top of Group D but, with Austria, Republic of Ireland and Serbia still to play their third round of fixtures, this will be seen as two points dropped.
The hosts started the game very brightly and were looking to get at their opponents right from the off, with their breakthrough moment taking just 10 minutes to arrive.
A Joe Ledley corner was met by Gareth Bale in a central position for the Real Madrid forward to head home his 25th goal for Wales, leaving him just three behind record scorer Ian Rush.
Wales showed no real signs of slowing down after edging ahead, coming close to adding a second to their tally when Bale's free kick dipped off the surface but was easily handled by Giorgi Loria.
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Georgia are certainly no whipping boys, though, as their Group D results have gone to show, and they arguably had the better of the remainder of the first half.
Valeri Qazaishvili blasted away the visitors' first shot of the match following a quickly taken free kick, which did little to trouble Wayne Hennessey between the sticks.
The Crusaders had pushed Republic of Ireland all the way just a few days ago, even hitting the woodwork a few times as they fell to an unfortunate 1-0 defeat, and they once again skimmed the frame of the goal through Jano Ananidze's free kick 34 minutes in.
If any side was going to find a second goal of the contest prior to the break then it was Georgia, ranked 137 in the world, as Valeriane Gvilia was the latest to test Hennessey with a fairly tame attempt.
Wales did slowly begin to find their way once again as the half reached its conclusion, with Andy King - filling in for the injured Aaron Ramsey for the third game running - taking range from 20 yards out when he perhaps would have had better luck slotting in teammate Chris Gunter.
Nearly two years had passed since Wales last conceded a competitive goal on home soil, but a slack start to the second half saw Georgia find a way through thanks to Tornike Okriashvili's header.
Okriashvili, the match winner against Spain recently, was left completely unmarked as he ghosted in to nod the ball past Hennessey, taking him to eight goals for his nation - more than any other active player.
Dave Edwards and Okriashvili had earlier seen attempts fall short, yet it was the lowly-ranked visitors who were looking the better on the ball against a lacklustre Wales.
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Wales did temporarily manage to force their way out of second gear, though, with Bale sending a free kick narrowly over the bar and their slick passing play showing signs of returning.
Ananidze offered another warning sign with 20 minutes to go, Hennessey being required to help the ball around the post at the end of a well-struck shot, and there was another major chance to come and go for Vladimir Weiss's men.
Bale's pass was intercepted and Levan Mchedlidze was slotted through with just Hennessey to beat, only to drag his effort horribly wide of goal to deny Georgia another famous win.
The Georgians were not finished there, however, and with Wales piling bodies forward more and more chances began to fall their way - Gvilia sending a shot wide just moments before Daushvili rifled his attempt against the crossbar.
Second-half sub Hal Robson-Kanu saw his late attempt kept out down low, which proved to be it for Wales's hopes of keeping alive their momentum as they were made to settle for just a single point.
Daniel Lewis
