QPR

1

Routledge 34

Peterborough

1

McLean 16
(HT 1 - 1)
Kickoff: 15:00
Att: 11814
Routledge earns point for Hoops
Wayne Routledge's goal ensured QPR escaped with a point from an unconvincing display in a 1-1 draw against Peterborough at Loftus Road.
 
Routledge: On target for the R's
Routledge: On target for the R's
 

QPR

  24 Cerny
yellow card 16 Connolly
yellow card 29 Borrowdale
  3 Stewart
  39 Taarabt *
  6 Leigertwood
  18 Faurlin **
  15 Watson
  25 Ephraim ***
  23 Simpson
  7 Routledge

On The Bench

  22 Heaton
  2 Ramage
  10 Buzsaky *** (69)
  4 Mahon
  14 Rowlands ** (58)
  12 Pellicori
  8 Vine * (58)

Peterboro

  1 Lewis
  4 Morgan
  3 Williams
  2 Martin
yellow card 5 Zakuani
  15 Diagouraga
  8 Frecklington
  9 McLean
  10 Boyd *
  12 Mackail-Smith
  18 Whelpdale **

On The Bench

  13 McKeown
  16 Pearce
  7 Coutts
  11 Keates
  17 Day
yellow card 19 Batt ** (70)
  14 Rowe * (65)

Jim Magilton's side were trailing to Aaron Mclean's early header but Routledge grabbed an equaliser before half-time to deny Posh their first win of the season.

Rangers fielded a team boasting three Premier League loanees, whereas Peterborough lined up with four players plucked from non-league, but it was the visitors who at times looked far more capable of challenging at the top end of the table this season.

Mega-rich Rangers are, once again, expected to push for promotion but Flavio Briatore's millions have yet to unearth someone to get on the end of all the flicks and tricks.

At least chairman Briatore was not present to witness an out-of-sorts showing from his expensively-assembled outfit, the Italian apparently having more pressing matters to deal with on the grand prix circuit.

Posh even thought they had grabbed a stoppage-time winner, but Craig Mackail-Smith's effort was ruled out.

The west Londoners' did create the first chance, courtesy of their north London connection, as Tottenham loanee Adel Taarabt exchanged passes with Arsenal's Jay Simpson before shooting straight at Joe Lewis.

But Peterborough soon found their feet and went ahead in the 16th minute when Tommy Williams' floated cross was glanced in by Mclean.

With their tails up, Posh began producing the slick football which has been a trademark of their successive promotions.

Rangers would surely have been two down had debutant Ben Watson not put in a superbly-timed challenge to rob Lee Frecklington as the midfielder raced through.

And Watson's last-gasp intervention proved pivotal moments later when the hosts hauled themselves level.

Simpson was played in by Taarabt and reached the byline before cutting the ball back to Routledge for a simple finish.

Watson could have marked his debut with a goal just before the hour when a loose ball found him in the area but could only sidefoot his effort wide.

Magilton removed Taarabt and ineffectual £3.5million Argentinian Alejandro Faurlin, replacing them with Championship-hardened campaigners Rowan Vine and Martin Rowlands.

But Posh continued to threaten and Toumani Diagouraga forced Radek Cerny into a smart save with a fierce 25-yard drive before Damion Stewart deflected Tommy Rowe's shot over.

Simpson could have won it for Rangers with five minutes remaining but hurriedly blasted his shot high and wide.

But Magilton was a relieved man at the death when an offside flag denied Mackail-Smith a winner.

Today's other The Coca-Cola Football League Championship matches.
Middlesbrough 3 - 1 Ipswich Report
O'Neil 17 Aliadiere 66,85   Walters 90(pen) Att: 19742
Crystal Palace 0 - 4 Scunthorpe Report
    Forte 4 Hayes 58 Togwell 66 O'Connor 68 Att: 12912
Derby 0 - 1 Sheff Utd Report
    Kilgallon 80 Att: 28441
Sheff Wed 1 - 1 Nottm Forest Report
Tudgay 39   Blackstock 2 Att: 25270
Watford 1 - 0 Barnsley Report
Graham 54     Att: 12613
West Brom 3 - 1 Plymouth Report
Martis 34 Cech 40,86   Mackie 12 Att: 22190
Preston 2 - 0 Swansea Report
Mellor 27 Elliott S 89     Att: 12854
Coventry 1 - 1 Bristol City Report
Best 18   Maynard 48 Att: 16449
Reading 0 - 0 Doncaster Report
      Att: 15697
Leicester 2 - 1 Blackpool Report
Fryatt 26,58   Adam 31 Att: 22827



Team News:

QPRLAD : "...I went to the match on Saturday and despite the loss, we were the better team even with 10 men. I thought Leigertwood's red card was correct from 1st view it was 2 footed but Ramage's was a joke i think he booked him 4 d..."   view full comment

Paper Talk: Hughes' Turkish delight

Mark Hughes is on the shortlist to become Turkey's new coach, while Kieron Dyer's West Ham nightmare will cost them close to £30million.

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