Croatia kept themselves just a point behind leaders Greece in Euro 2012

qualifying Group F with a routine win in Malta tonight.

Ognjen Vukojevic and Milan Badelj gave the visitors a two-goal lead in little

over half an hour.

Michael Mifsud's goal briefly threatened a shock comeback but, after Croatia

had twice hit the woodwork, defender Dejan Lovren made the game safe.

Darijo Srna's early free-kick forced a good diving save from home keeper Andrew

Hogg, who was always likeliest to be among the busiest players on show.

He fielded Ivan Perisic's shot moments later before Ryan Fenech's free-kick at

the other end was held by Stipe Pletikosa.

Srna tested Hogg again before Vukojevic opened the scoring, converting Ivan

Strincic's cross with 12 minutes on the clock.

Hogg saved from Perisic and Malta's Clayton Failla shot wide, before Srna sent

Badelj through on goal to double Croatia's lead from 12 yards just after the

half-hour mark.

The group minnows pulled a goal back against the run of play, though, when

Roderick Briffa fed the ball into the box and Valletta striker Mifsud slammed it

past Pletikosa to make it 2-1 six minutes before the break.

Croatia's start to the second half suggested that lapse had earned them a

rocket from coach Slaven Bilic during the interval, as first Nikola Kalinic

forced a save from Hogg and then Mario Mandzukic headed Srna's cross against the

bar.

Failla shot wide before the crossbar again came to Hogg's rescue, with Strincic

this time the man frustrated.

The third goal arrived in the 68th minute, though, when Badelj crossed from the

left and Lovren headed low past Hogg.

Mandzukic and Kalinic shot wide in the closing staged and Ivan Woods did

likewise for the hosts, but there was no further threat to either keeper.