Albania remain top of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group D after frustrating Bosnia-Herzegovina in Tirana to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.

Albania had promised beforehand to secure a result for their stricken coach Josip Kuze, after the Croatian suffered a stroke last week. His assistant Dzemal Mustedanagic deputised against the country of his birth.

Vedad Ibisevic had given the fancied visitors the lead but Klodian Duro's powerful free-kick levelled matters on the stroke of half-time. Bosnia hit the crossbar three times in the second half but were unable to find a winner.

The first 20 minutes saw little in the way of goalmouth action, but that changed when Mensur Mujdza crossed from the right and Ibisevic took advantage of hesitant defending to finish right-footed.

Visiting goalkeeper Kenan Hasagic was kept alert by efforts from Albania strike pair Erjon Bogdani and Hamdi Salihi before Adnan Mravac's handball gave Albania the chance to level. The defender was shown the yellow card but Duro exacted more painful punishment with a ferocious shot which found the bottom corner of Hasagic's net.

Hasagic's last contribution was to pick the ball out of the net as he was replaced by Asmir Begovic at the interval, but the newcomer was rarely tested despite Albania dominating possession in the early part of the second period.

And as the half progressed, Bosnia began to threaten on the counter-attack - but three times they were thwarted by the woodwork with goalkeeper Arian Beqaj beaten.