QPR won 3-2 at Luton and now are 18th with 21 points from 17 games.
QPR 17 21
Sunderland 17 20
Crystal Palace 17 18
Hull 17 16
Leeds 17 16
Barnsley 17 15
Southend 17 11
League Table
Gregory's Comments - Official Site
WE KNEW WE COULD WIN
It was short and sweet from the gaffer due to a prior engagement as he let his team do the talking.
Gregory had seen his side come back from being 2-1 down to win 3-2 at Kenilworth Road.
But with tickets for a Bruce Springsteen concert in is pocket, the gaffer shot off before any media interviews and only had a few words for the official website.
He said: "It wasn't a case of having to change my team talk at half time, the lads had their own chat and knew what had to be done.
"We knew the game could be won and that's what we went out there and did."
QPR Official Site
Luton Official Site - Mike Newell Comments
NEWELL BEMOANS PENALTY DECISION
The taste of defeat was as bitter as it's ever been for the Hatters boss Mike Newell after this afternoon's 3-2 reverse against Queens Park Rangers at Kenilworth Road.
Newell said: "I thought we were the better side, again. We had the chances before they scored, and we had all of the play before they scored."
Having led 2-1 at the break, Newell watched his side concede two goals from set pieces at the start of the second half, and the visitors held on to record their second away win of the season.
Newell added: "We deserved to be going in at half-time at 2-1, we deserved to be going in ahead.
"We've defended poorly immediately after half time. The equalising goal was never a corner. It was a goal kick. Just a bad decision from the lineswoman."
Newell was especially unhappy about a particularly strong penalty claim that was turned down by referee Andy D'Urso in the first half, after Hoops defender Marcus Bignot felled Carlos Edwards in the penalty box when he seemed set to score.
"We could have had more because it was a blatant penalty on Carlos in front of the goal in the six yard box - blatant penalty, absolutely no two ways about it."
Luton
BBC - Managerial Comments
# Luton manager Mike Newell on assistant referee Amy Rayner:
"She should not be here. I know that sounds sexist, but I am sexist, so I am not going to be anything other than that.
"We have a problem in this country with political correctness, and bringing women into the game is absolutely beyond belief.
"It is bad enough with the incapable referees and linesmen we have, but if you start bringing in women, you have big problems.
"This is Championship football. This is not park football, so what are women doing here? It is tokenism for the politically-correct idiots."
# QPR defender Marcus Bignot:
"Comments like those will stop female officials from trying to make their way in the game.
"Amy Rayner is a role model, and full credit goes to her. What would he have said if it had been a male assistant referee making that decision?
"It's easy to blame officials, and Mike Newell is entitled to his opinion, but remarks like that do not help the game."
BBC
Luton Today Newell's blistering attack on chairman
And boss questions role of female officiating
Luton boss Mike Newell launched an amazing attack against female referee's assistant Amy Rayner and then his own chairman Bill Tomlins after seeing his side lose 3-2 to QPR.
The Hatters manager was left fuming after seeing his side denied a penalty in the first-half before questioning the lineswoman's decision to award Rangers a corner in the second period which led to their leveller.
And Newell later went on to question the role of his chairman saying he hadn't spoken to Tomlins for months and adding 'everything he's got into he's messed up and I'm just about fed up with it'.
On referee's assistant Rayner, he said: "She shouldn't be here. It sounds sexist, but I am sexist. We have a real problem with all this politically correct stuff in this country, but she simply shouldn't be here.
"It's not the way to improve officiating by letting women into the game – it beggars belief.
"The foul on Carlos (Edwards) was a penalty there's no two ways about it. (Referee Andy) D'Urso didn't give it and neither did she.
"Can anybody tell me why she's here? When we get to the stage where they're all women (the match officials), then we're in trouble.
"We've got a bad enough problem with the standard of referees and linesman that we've already got, but when we start bringing women into the game we've got a problem.
"Girls can play junior football to a certain age and then they're not allowed to play so why are we allowing them to officiate in Championship football matches?
"It's Championship level, we're not talking parks football here."
Luton Today attempted to speak to Leicestershire-based official Rayner after the game, but she was unavailable for comment.
Newell also then let fly with an astonishing broadside against chairman Tomlins, who had claimed in his programme notes that the board was ready to back their manager with a move into the loan market.
Newell said: "I haven't spoken to him for months. You should speak to him yourself to find out why he's here and what he's doing here.
"I can't understand why he's here and what he's doing.
"He hasn't made any decisons. He hasn't done anything.
"Everything he gets into he has messed up and I'm just about fed up with it.
"I keep getting told that when we get planning permission there will be money to spend or that next week the club will change hands.
"I've had it for two years. It was easier when we were in administration because we had nothing and we just had 20 players to work with."
Newell also warned that the uncertainty was affecting his players, particularly those in the last year of their contracts.
He added: "Players like Markus Heikkinen should have been tied up eight months ago, but we're going to end up losing them for nothing because they will let their contracts run out.
"When I committed myself to the club I expected them to follow that by committing the players.
"They want to know why they haven't been offered new contracts and I want to know why as well."
Luton Today spoke to Tomlins after the game. He said the board of directors was due to meet tomorrow (Sunday) to formulate an official response to Newell's words.
Dunstable Today
Sporting Life/PA Sport
Tom Collomosse, PA Sport
QPR claimed their second away win of the season and inflicted a fifth successive defeat on ailing Luton thanks to Dexter Blackstock's winner.
Rangers had trailed 2-1 at half-time after stoppage-time goals from Adam Boyd and Ahmet Brkovic had cancelled out Jimmy Smith's opener for the visitors.
But an own-goal from Markus Heikkinen in the 51st minute brought Rangers level, and Blackstock struck two minutes later.
This win extended Rangers' unbeaten run to four matches and eased their relegation worries, but these are difficult times for Luton, who have conceded 17 goals in their last five games in all competitions.
Yet Mike Newell's team made the brighter start, and their top scorer Rowan Vine was inches away from turning Boyd's low cross from the right into the net.
The home side believed they should have had a penalty when Brkovic appeared to be pushed by Damion Stewart as he prepared to shoot.
And the Hatters crowd vented their fury at referee Andy D'Urso once more shortly afterwards, when they were denied another spot-kick after Carlos Edwards seemed to be pulled back by Marcus Bignot as he tried to convert Lewis Emanuel's driven cross.
Luton's frustration was complete when Rangers took the lead against the run of play after 32 minutes.
Lee Cook swung over a free-kick from the right and Smith, whose late run into the box had gone unchecked, applied the decisive touch to beat Dean Brill from six yards.
It was the on-loan Chelsea midfielder's fifth goal since his move from Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
But seconds into first-half stoppage time, Steve Robinson broke free on the Luton right and cut the ball back for Boyd to score his first league goal since his summer move from Hartlepool.
And the third minute of added time, Brkovic completed a quick turnaround by heading in David Bell's left-wing cross.
The game's topsy-turvy nature continued, with QPR back in the lead within eight minutes of the re-start.
First Heikkinen headed Lee Cook's corner into his own goal in the 51st minute after goalkeeper Brill - in for the suspended Marlon Beresford - had failed to claim the cross.
And two minutes later, with Brill again indecisive, Marc Nygaard flicked on Smith's left-wing corner for Blackstock to turn the ball home from three yards.
Luton were stunned, but they should have drawn level when Brkovic picked out Edwards at the far post in the 66th minute and the winger's volley from eight yards hit the ground and bounced over the top.
Sporting Life
QPR Official Site - QPR 3 Luton 2
You want goals? You want end to end action? Well this win over Luton was the game for you!
Rangers came away from Kenilworth Road with all three points after a game that may not have been the tidiest, but was certainly action packed.
Jimmy Smith gave the visitors the lead in the 33rd minute when he smacked home Lee Cook's free kick from where he stood hovering near the goal line.
Just when it looked as though Rangers would be going in with a clean sheet, the game was turned on its head when Adam Boyd and Ahmet Brkovic struck in injury time to give the Hatters the lead.
Rangers may have felt deflated, but a 2-1 scoreline may have been a fairer reflection given the fact that Luton had previously had two penalty claims waved away.
In the second half it was yet again the story of quick turnarounds.
Markus Heikkinen's own goal meant that when Dexter Blackstock found the back of the net a minute later, Rangers were back in the lead.
You certainly couldn't say that this was a game short of entertainment.
Stefan Bailey started his first game since the victory at St Mary's in September and took the place of the suspended Steve Lomas.
There was no room for former Ranger Richard Langley in the Luton line up, despite playing in the last two games.
Marcus Bignot was gifted with the captain's armband thanks to the absence of Gallen, Bircham and Lomas.
Lee Cook wasted no time in terrorising the Luton back line, streaming through to win a free kick which was ten blazed over the bar by the man himself.
With 13 minutes on the clock, there still wasn't a notable sot to mention. Once effort which was blazed over the bar by Bailey and an off side effort from Luton aside.
As if on cue, the action came when Adam Boyd crossed an inch perfect ball across the face of goal for Rowan Vine.
How the ball wasn't diverted into the back of the net when it was surely easier to score will remain a mystery.
Damion Stewart breathed a sigh of relief on 16 minutes when his clumsy challenge on Ahmet Brkovic brought the Luton man tumbling down in front of goal just as he was about to pull the trigger.
The Luton crowd were incensed and on their feet feeling that they had just seen a certain spot kick turned down.
Then seconds later, D'Urso failed to warm himself to the Kenilworth Road crowd once again when he waved away Carlos Edwards' penalty appeals after Marcus Bignot had charged him down.
Once again, no card was shown to the Luton man.
Despite the fact that Luton were now subjecting Rangers to a bout of heavy pressure, the visitors must be commended on the fact that the net had not yet bulged at their end.
So when the goal came, it was fair to say it was against the run of play.
Lee Cook sent in the free kick and the on form Jimmy Smith diverted the ball home from where he stood just a matter of inches from the goalkeeper.
Choruses of 'sign him up' escaped from the visiting end to engulf the celebrating Smith in the corner.
Just when it looked as though QPR would be keeping their first half time clean sheet since the Hull game, Adam Boyd levelled proceedings in jury time.
Steve Robinson crossed for Boyd to score is first goal for Luton and it was about to get even worse for Rangers.
Literally on the stroke of half time, Brkovic completely turned the half on its head when he glanced home David Bell's delivery into the box.
Within the space of a minute, John Gregory's team talk would have drastically changed.
As the second half kicked off, Rangers wasted no time in pulling level albeit with a little help from Markus Heikkinen.
Cook was once again the provider, sending in the corner which the Luton man headed into the back of his own goal.
It was certainly the game for quick turnarounds as Rangers then proved.
Jimmy Smith sent in the corner for Rangers to score their third set piece of the afternoon.
Nygaard flicked on the delivery for Blackstock to knock home to leave Luton completely aghast.
Given the recent excitement, it was no surprise that the game then quietened down for the next ten minutes.
Smith did however try and liven up the proceedings with a fizzing free kick which just flew past the far post.
There looked to be a problem for Gallen when he left the field after only having been on for ten minutes.
The final few minutes were as nervous as any where a lead is being held on to, but Rangers managed to maintain their status to remain unbeaten in four games.
Luton: Brill, Foley, Barnett, Heikkinen, Emanuel, Brkovic, Edwards, Robinson (Morgan 85), Boyd, Vine (Feeney 85), Bell
Subs: Perrett, Holmes, Barrett
Booked:
Scorers: Boyd 45, Brkovic 45
QPR: Royce, Mancienne, Stewart, Rehman, Bignot, Ainsworth, Bailey, Smith, Cook, Nygaard, Blackstock (Gallen 79) (Ward 89)
Subs: Jones, Milanese, Baidoo
Booked: Blackstock
Scorers: Smith 33, Heikkinen 51, Blackstock 53
Ref: A D'Urso
Official Site
Luton Official Site
Luton ended on the wrong side of a five goal thriller as Mike Newell's side slumped to their fourth league defeat on the spin against QPR.
On a positive note, Luton found their touch in front of goal, after failing to score in their last four matches, but sloppy defender was to cost the Hatters as QPR came from behind to take all three points back to West London. The result means Luton had conceded 17 goals in their last five games.
Rangers made a decent start and deserved their lead on 33 minutes when Jimmy Smith touched home his fifth goal in seven games.
However, Luton were in front at half time when two goals in first half stoppage time from Adam Boyd and Ahmet Brkovic turned the game around.
QPR were quickly back in front at the start of the second half, when two corners resulted in goals as an own goal from Markus Heikkinen and a Dexter Blackstock finish secured the visitors maximum points.
Luton went close in the second half with Carlos Edwards and Leon Barnett both going near, but the Hatters couldn't find a way through
Newell made four changes to his side that were defeated by Preston last weekend as Dean Brill was handed his first start of the season replacing the suspended Marlon Beresford, who was dismissed at Deepdale.
Lewis Emanuel returned from injury, replacing Peter Holmes, who dropped to the bench whilst David Bell and Brkovic were handed rare starts, replacing former QPR midfielder Richard Langley and Dean Morgan respectively.
Luton were also boosted by the news that Rowan Vine was passed fit to play, despite concerns that the striker would miss the game because of an injury.
QPR made two changes from the side that defeated Crystal Palace last weekend with Stefan Bailey replacing Steve Lomas and Marc Nygaard returning to the side in place of the unfortunate Kevin Gallen.
A fast tempo was set immediately as Lee Cook quickly fired a free-kick within two minutes, to try and test the nerves of Brill, but his 25-yard effort failed to trouble the Luton youngster, with his effort flying harmlessly over the bar.
The visitors continued to press forward and Bailey should have done better on 12 minutes when his dipping volley flew wide of the target.
Although Luton were defending deep in their own half, chances were soon being created and on 14 minutes, Boyd beat the QPR offside trap, raced towards goal and delivered a low cross that was just beyond the reach of Vine.
The Hatters soon began to enjoy their best spell of the game and were adamant they should have had a penalty on 18 minutes when Brkovic was sent tumbling to the ground under the challenge of Damion Stewart.
The Croatian midfielder latched onto Vine's flicked header that put him in the clear but, despite Stewart seemingly bundling him off the ball, referee Andy D'Urso waved away the appeals, much to the home sides frustrations.
Two minutes later and Luton went close again. Vine's powerful run was halted by the Rangers defence, but as the loose ball fell kindly to Emanuel, the full-back cracked a powerful drive from an acute angle that flew inches wide.
Luton had second shouts for a penalty waved away moments later when Carlos Edwards was tripped in the box by Marcus Bignot.
However, despite bossing the game, Luton found themselves behind on 33 minutes as Jimmy Smith stole in front of his marker to head home Lee Cook's free-kick, inside a packed penalty area.
The visitors should have extended their lead on 32 minutes when Dexter Blackstock found space between two Luton defenders, but blasted his shot over the crossbar from ten yards.
The game looked as if it was drifting into a QPR half-time interval lead, before Luton incredibly turned the match around with two goals in first-half stoppage time.
Firstly, Stewart was caught napping from Kevin Foley's long throw which enabled Steve Robinson to drift inside the penalty area and tee up Boyd to grab his first Championship goal of the season, converting from six-yards.
Then moments later, Bell's pinpoint cross from the left flank was met by Brkovic's glancing header, which was enough to put the ball beyond the reach of QPR goalkeeper Simon Royce and nestle kindly in the corner of the net.
AT HALF TIME: LUTON 2 V 1 QPR
Luton made a rusty start to the second half as this encounter took another twist with QPR restoring their lead within eight minutes of the restart.
On 51 minutes, QPR were back on level terms when Cook's corner found its way past Brill, with the last touch seemingly coming off Heikkinen's head.
Then, just two minutes later, another corner, on this occasion taken by Smith, was nodded on by Marc Nygaard with the ball being tucked away by the unmarked Blackstock, who converted from six yards.
Luton had the chance to get themselves back on level terms on 65 minutes when Brkovic's cross found Edwards but the Trinidad and Tobago midfielder fired a volley into the ground, which bounced over the crossbar.
QPR came close to extending their lead on 79 minutes when Smith's free-kick narrowly missed the target, as Luton struggled to get the ball out of their own half.
Luton continued to push forward, but couldn't find a way through, despite Barnett coming close in the closing stages.
Luton: Brill, Foley, Edwards, Robinson (Morgan 85), Vine (Feeney 85), Emanuel, Brkovic, Boyd, Barnett, Heikkinen, Bell
Subs not used: Perrett, Holmes, Barrett
Bookings:
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Rehman, Ainsworth, Cook, Bailey, Stewart, Nygaard, Blackstock (Gallen 80, Ward 89)), Smith, Mancienne
Subs not used: Milanese, Jones, Baidoo
Bookings: Blackstock (75)
Referee: Mr A. P Durso
Attendance: 9,007 (1,533 from QPR)
Luton Official Site
