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SirStanleyBowles- 09-12-2009
QPR 1-1 Peterborough..... not good enough!!
Wayne Routledge was again on the scoresheet, as Rangers came from behind to take a share of the spoils. Peterborough had taken the lead on as early as 18 minutes when Aaron McLean headed home past Radek Cerny. Though that wasn't to be enough for the visitors, and Routledge finished from close range in the 38th minute to level the game. R's Gaffer Jim Magilton made just two changes to the side that overcame Scunthorpe United away from home two weeks ago. After signing on a four-month loan deal from Wigan Athletic, Ben Watson made his Rangers debut at the expense of Peter Ramage - in a move that saw Mikele Leigertwood take his place at right back. In other team news, after picking up an injury in that win at Glanford Park, Fitz Hall was replaced by Damion Stewart. Furthermore Martin Rowlands was also on the bench, as he made the 18-man squad for the first time since Rangers' campaign opener at home to Blackpool. As the game kicked off at Loftus Road under some magnificent sunshine, it was Rangers who started the better as they went in search of their second league win of the season. Just over a minute had passed on the clock when, after a free-kick was awarded about 25 yards from goal, loan signing Watson sent in a shot that was well held by Joe Lewis in the Posh net. The R's were in near-complete control of possession in the opening exchanges and after Adel Taarabt typically turned his marker just short of the area, he drilled an effort straight at Lewis. Watson was already impressing in the middle of the park, linking-up well with Taarabt and Alejandro Faurlin, before the latter sent in an effort that wasn't enough to trouble the visitors' goalkeeper. Though for all their possession, Rangers were to find themselves a goal down in the 18th minute, as the Posh opened the scoring with their first effort on target. On the break, former Rangers loanee Tom Williams found the ball out wide on the left before sending a devastating cross into the area for McLean. Peterborough's top scorer last season made no mistake thereon in, expertly nodding the ball into the bottom corner of the goal past a helpless Cerny. It was a goal - though harsh on Rangers - that seemed to spring the Posh into life, and Chris Whelpdale was unlucky not to score after his long-range, low effort was pushed wide for a corner by Cerny. Though the R's still had their chances, not least when after Jay Simpson held the ball well from the edge of the area, he fed Taarabt who thundered an effort over the bar. It was becoming a bit of a frustrating half for Rangers, who were struggling to get back into the game after the opening goal. Though that frustration was soon to turn to joy, as not long before the break, the R's were level courtesy of top scorer in all competitions, Routledge. When Taarabt found the ball out on the left, he sent in a low cross in to Simpson. Holding off his man superbly well from six-yards out, he squared for Routledge. The pacy Rangers winger didn't have much to do thereafter, passing the ball past Lewis in the Posh goal for a 36th-minute equaliser. As the teams re-emerged for the second period, in similar fashion to the first half, Rangers came out the brighter as they looked for that second goal to give them the lead. Though it was the visitors who had the first chance after the interval. But when McLean flicked on well for Craig Mackail-Smith, he could only fire straight at Cerny in the R's goal. Soon after however, it was Rangers who were on the attack and when Leigertwood sent over a low cross into the area, Watson was just prevented from finding the net by a last-ditch challenge. From the resulting corner, it was Watson who put in the centre that was met well by Matt Connolly, but his header was powered just over the bar. Rangers were desperate for a goal that would give them the advantage. With that in mind, Magilton sent on Martin Rowlands and Rowan Vine to replace Faurlin and Taarabt respectively. But the hosts still had to be on their guard - particularly R's goalkeeper Cerny, who did well to beat the ball away when Toumani Diagouraga sent in a rasping drive just short of the area. Akos Buzsaky was then sent on not long after, as the R's went in search of that second goal. And they almost scored near the end when Simpson fired over from close range after a lovely cross from Buzsaky. The visitors thought they had snatched a dramatic last-minute winner when Mackail-Smith finished from close range, but his effort was ruled out for offside. And the scores were to remain even, as Rangers had to make do with their third consecutive home league draw of the season. QPR: Cerny, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Watson, Connolly, Faurlin (Rowlands 58), Simpson, Ephraim (Buzsaky 69), Borrowdale, Taarabt (Vine 58). Subs not used: Heaton, Ramage, Mahon, Buzsaky, Pellicori. Goals: Routledge (36) Bookings: Rowlands (80) Peterborough: Lewis, Martin, Williams, Morgan, Zakwani, Frecklington, McLean, Boyd (Rowe 65), Mackail-Smith, Diagouraga, Whelpdale (Batt 71). Subs not used: McKeown, Coutts, Keats, Pearce, Day. Goals: McLean (18) Bookings: Zakwani (35) Referee: Mr O Langford Attendance: 11,814 (1,094)