QPR Draw at Scunthorpe: Reports and Managerial Comments

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Scunthorpe 2 QPR 2
QPR were leading 2-1 at half time: 2 goals by Amos BuzaskyMinute by Minute

UPDATED TABLE
Scunthorpe 21-23
Leicester 20-22
Norwich 21-21
COlchester 21-20
Preston 21-18
QPR 20-17
Table

UPDATED -
SPORTING LIFE By Wayne Gardiner, PA Sport
Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins believes his side have made "unbelievably mammoth" progress in the Coca-Cola Championship despite being held to a 2-2 draw at home to QPR.
After a promising start to life in the second tier, the Iron have now gone nine games without a win and only goals from Martin Paterson and Jonathan Forte helped them earn a point against QPR, for whom Akos Buzsaky scored a stunning brace.
But, despite another setback in their bid to retain their Championship status, Adkins is refusing to let his head drop.

"We wanted six points out of the last two games but we only got two draws. That's not bad though is it?" he said. "We're disappointed to only get a point.

"We've come back from two wonder strikes and have tried to be bold. We've got a lot of forward-thinking players on the pitch.
"We could have had a penalty when their lad brought down Andy Butler but they say it evens itself out, so we can look forward to the next game.
"We're not going to change our beliefs or let the heads go down. We try to stay positive and pass the ball and we've got great character. We'll endeavour to keep doing what we're doing."
Despite failing to win at home since September 18, Adkins is insistent that his side are making a success of life in the Championship.
"We're an honest bunch of guys that are in the trenches together," he said.
"We'll keep positive, keep trying to score goals and keep trying to entertain our supporters. And we'll keep picking points up against teams in the Championship that we have no right to pick points up against.
"We want to get 25 points by Christmas. We've got 23 now and who would have thought we would do that when we were facing the abyss of the Conference two years ago?
"No-one is allowed to be miserable. We're on a journey of discovery in the Championship and no-one is allowed to let their heads drop.
"The progress we have made this season has been unbelievably mammoth in respect of we've learnt all the time. We've learnt to be more flexible going forward and we're still scoring goals.
"To do that in the Championship having lost our entire strikeforce in the summer is fantastic. The players are becoming better players, the team are becoming a better team and we're flourishing."

Speaking through an interpreter, QPR boss Luigi Di Canio admitted he was "upset" with the result but believed his side are still improving despite only one win in his eight games in charge.
Rangers saw off Hull in the Italian's maiden game in control but have struggled since - with this point arresting a run of three straight losses.
"It was upsetting to lose (the lead) but that's the moment we're going through," he said. "Credit to Scunthorpe, though, and the outcome was a really good game.
"Akos Buzsaky played a really good game for us and that's why we brought him here. Like in other games he showed what he is capable of doing. He's a great player.
"We've played some nice games while I've been here but we waste some chances in front of goal. However, we're going in the right direction and I'm really satisfied."
Sporting Life

POST MATCH COMMENTS DE CANIO'S VERDICT
Luigi De Canio paid tribute to two-goal hero Akos Buzsaky after the 2-2 draw against Scunthorpe United.
Buzsaky scored two wonder goals at Glanford Park, leaving his Manager purring with delight.
"Akos is only doing his job," De Canio told www.qpr.co.uk.
"He is in the side to score goals and that's what he did today.
"I am pleased for him. They were two fantastic strikes, but I am disappointed we didn't win the game."
Despite praising his sides' efforts, De Canio was disappointed with the manner in which Rangers twice threw away the lead.
"We feel as though we are making progress, but we keep throwing goals away," said De Canio.
"We need to tighten up defensively, because we can't afford to keep letting teams back in the game.
"All credit to them; they fought back well, but it's slightly disappointing." QPR


SCUNTHORPE OFFICIAL SITE - IT WAS A REALLY GOOD GAME - DE CANIO
Queens Park Rangers manager Luigi De Canio thought his side performed well in their 2-2 draw with United at Glanford Park.
However, he was upset that his team let their lead slip twice.
Scunthorpe came from behind on two occasions, as Martin Paterson and Jonathan Forte notched to cancel out a spectacular Akos Buzsaky double.
"It was upsetting to lose (the lead), but that's the moment we're going through," he said, speaking through an interpreter.
"Credit to Scunthorpe, though, and the outcome was a really good game.
"Akos Buzsaky played a really good game for us and that's why we brought him here. Like in other games he showed what he is capable of doing. He's a great player.
"We've played some nice games while I've been here, but we waste some chances in front of goal. However, we're going in the right direction and I'm really satisfied." Scunthorpe

SCUNTHORPE OFFICIAL SITE - WE'RE ON COURSE - ADKINS
Iron boss Nigel Adkins says his team are on track for their target of 25 points at Christmas, after a 2-2 home draw with Queens Park Rangers.
United came from behind twice against the Hoops, as Martin Paterson and Jonathan Forte notched to cancel out a Akos Buzsaky double.
And Adkins says confidence is high at Glanford Park.
Speaking in his post-match press conference on Iron World, he said: "We wanted six points out of the last two games, but we only got two draws. That's not bad though is it?'' he said. ``We're disappointed to only get a point.
"We've come back from two wonder strikes and have tried to be bold. We've got a lot of forward-thinking players on the pitch.
"We could have had a penalty when their lad brought down Andy Butler, but they say it evens itself out, so we can look forward to the next game.
"We're not going to change our beliefs or let the heads go down. We try to stay positive and pass the ball and we've got great character. We'll endeavour to keep doing what we're doing.
"We're an honest bunch of guys that are in the trenches together. We'll keep positive, keep trying to score goals and keep trying to entertain our supporters.
"And we'll keep picking points up against teams in the Championship that we have no right to pick points up against.
"We want to get 25 points by Christmas. We've got 23 now and who would have thought we would do that when we were facing the abyss of the Conference two years ago?
"No-one is allowed to be miserable. We're on a journey of discovery in the Championship and no-one is allowed to let their heads drop.
"The progress we have made this season has been unbelievably mammoth in respect of we've learnt all the time. We've learnt to be more flexible going forward and we're still scoring goals.
"To do that in the Championship having lost our entire strikeforce in the summer is fantastic. The players are becoming better players, the team are becoming a better team and we're flourishing." Scunthorpe

QPR Official Site: Scunthorpe 2 QPR 2
Akos Buzsaky's deadly double clinched Rangers a creditable point at Glanford Park.
The midfield maestro bagged a brace of contenders for goal of the season, on an afternoon when the R's twice threw away a lead against fellow strugglers Scunthorpe United.
Buzsaky's first half double saw Rangers into the break with a 2-1 lead, after Martin Paterson put the Iron on terms midway through the first half.
Scunny's reward for an electrifying start to the second half arrived courtesy of Jonathan Forte's 54th minute strike and although both sides went in search of a winning goal, a draw was probably a fair reflection.
Luigi De Canio welcomed skipper Adam Bolder back to the starting XI, at the expense of Ben Sahar.
Sampsa Timoska overcame a bout of illness to return to the substitutes' bench, alongside highly-rated Under-18 front-man Angelo Balanta.
The Iron made one change from the side that drew at home to Blackpool on Monday night, with Forte coming in to the team in place of the suspended Kelly Youga.

After Rowan Vine saw his ninth minute effort blocked, it was the hosts who created the first shot on target, when Jim Goodwin fired straight at Lee Camp from 20-yards.

But it was Rangers who opened the scoring 60 seconds later, courtesy of a Buzsaky wonder-goal.

Vine's flick-on from a long punt up-field from Camp fell at the feet of the Magical Magyar and he duly let fly, sending a fearsome 25-yard strike into the roof of the net.

The R's should have doubled their advantage two minutes later.

Buzsaky's corner from the right caused mayhem in the hosts' penalty area and Zesh Rehman headed wide with Iron custodian Joe Murphy all at sea.

It was quickly emerging into the Akos Buzsaky show, with the R's number 10 forcing Murphy to gather at the second attempt, after he cut in from the right flank.

Andy Crosby squandered a glorious chance to put Scunny on level terms midway through the half, heading over from the edge of the six-yard box after Rangers were caught sleeping from a quickly-taken free-kick.

As the Iron stepped up a gear, Chris Barker hooked another effort off the line, before Paterson put the hosts on terms.

Rangers were again guilty of switching off from a set-piece and this time Paterson made no mistake, poking the ball home unchallenged at the front post.

In between times, Bolder picked up his fifth booking of the season for a mistimed challenge, while Vine received a severe ticking off from referee Mr Hegley for a late tackle on Crosby.

The woodwork came to the R's rescue in the 35th minute, as Kevan Hurst's low drive cannoned off the inside of the post before flying to safety.

Rangers were by no means second best though, with Rowlands forcing Murphy to smother at his near post, after Buzsaky's neat pass played in the roaming midfielder,

Provider turned scorer in the 42nd minute - and how!

Scott Sinclair's sublime solo run ended with him being sent to ground by fellow Chelsea teenager Jack Cork and Buzsaky stepped up to curl an unstoppable free-kick from the near touchline into the far corner of the net.

Buzsaky almost bagged a first half hat-trick on the stroke of half-time, forcing Murphy to save down low at his right hand post after he fired in an opportune 20-yard strike.

The second period was only 26 seconds old when Camp was forced to make his first save of the half.

Paul Hayes' pull-back from the by-line found Matt Sparrow, who saw his low drive spectacularly tipped to safety by Camp.

Camp had to be at his agile best yet again two minutes later, tipping Murphy's lengthy goal-kick over the bar, after his wind assisted punt kicked up off the lush Glanford Park surface.

But the Rangers keeper was powerless to prevent the Iron levelling matters in the 54th minute.

Hurst's swirling far post cross bounced back off the post and Forte was in the right place, at the right time, to tap home from close range.

As the howling rain continued to descend, Bolder was inches away from connecting with Sinclair's low centre, while at the other end, Goodwin smashed high and wide from an acute angle.

Hurst's deflected free-kick flew a yard wide of Camp's left hand post with the keeper stranded, before Buzsaky fired over the crossbar.

Sandwiched in between, De Canio made two substitutions, with Timoska and Marc Nygaard entering the fray, at the expense of Rehman and Sinclair.

To their credit, Rangers went in search of a winner late on, yet despite Vine stinging the palms of Murphy from range, a fifth goal of the contest proved elusive.

Scunthorpe United: Murphy, Williams, Crosby, Sparrow, Goodwin, Hayes (Ameobi 77), Paterson, Cork, Forte (Morris 89), Butler, Hurst.

Subs: Baraclough, Mulligan, Lillis.

Goals: Paterson 24, Forte 54

Bookings:

Red Cards:

QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Bolder, Buzsaky (Ainsworth 92), Rowlands, Malcolm, Vine, Rehman (Timoska 74), Leigertwood, Sinclair (Nygaard 76).

Subs: Cole, Balanta.

Goals: Buzsaky 12 & 42

Bookings: Bolder 16, Nygaard 91, Vine 92

Red Cards:

Referee: G K Hegley

Attendance: QPR

Scunthorpe vs QPR
Scunthorpe United Football Club
0 - 0
Queen's Park Rangers Football Club
Date:
08/12/2007
Venue:
Glanford Park
Attendance:
0
Referee:

The Iron came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Queens Park Rangers at Glanford Park.

The Championship's bottom side struck an early blow through Akos Buzsacy's superb long-range effort. However, the Iron were soon level when Martin Paterson struck home his first goal in over a month.

Another flash of inspiration from Buzsacy via a free-kick put the vistors back ahead, but Jonathan Forte levelled the scores after the interval with a tap-in.

Although Scunthorpe edged it in terms of possession and shots on goal, both sides had chances to win the game. Time ran out though and the two teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.

The Iron made one change from the team that drew at home to Blackpool on Monday night.

Forte came into the team in place of the suspended Kelly Youga, who was handed his second red card inside a week against the Seasiders earlier this week.

Forte lined up on the left-wing and looked set to alternate with Kevan Hurst throughout the game, while Matt Sparrow switched from the right-hand side of midfield to the centre.

The final part of the reshuffle saw Jack Cork drop from centre midfield to right-back so he could replace Youga.

There were two additions to the substitutes' bench with Ian Baraclough lining up against his former club. Meanwhile, Dave Mulligan also returned to the bench in place of the injured Shaleum Logan, who had been back at Manchester City receiving treatment on a back injury.

The match kicked off in wet and windy conditions, with both teams scrapping it out in the midfield for a foothold in the game. United forced their first corner in the opening couple of minutes, but nothing came of it.

The Iron had their first shot on goal of the afternoon on ten minutes when Jim Goodwin side-footed an effort from the edge of the box which forced a low save down to his left from Rangers' stopper Lee Camp.

And, straight on the counter-attack, the visiting side were to go ahead through a super-strike from Buzsaky, who smashed in an effort from 25 yards which beat United goalkeeper Joe Murphy and nestled into the back of the home net. It wasn't the start Scunthorpe wanted against the league's bottom side.

They then threatened to double their advantage when a corner from the goalscorer on the left flank caused all manner of chaos in the United penalty area.

Buzsaky, again, was the next player to come close for the visiting team when he was in found in space on the edge of the penalty area and curled in a shot that Murphy saved well.

United were trying to get back into the game and had their next chance on 18 minutes when Andy Crosby headed over the crossbar from a Hurst corner on the right.

He then had his team's next chance when he connected with a free-kick from Goodwin to nod over the crossbar from six yards.

Matt Sparrow then had a shot deflected over the crossbar after the away side failed to clear their lines.

It was a warning that Scunthorpe meant business and they levelled through leading scorer Paterson on 24 minutes.

Hurst swung a corner in from the left and, after a scramble in the area, the former Stoke man got the ball and fired in from six yards for his eighth goal of the season.

It was a feisty affair so far and United had their next chance of the afternoon on 36 minutes when Hurst beat his man on the right-hand side of the 18-yard box and fired his shot across goal with the ball coming back into play off the inside of the goalkeeper's right-hand post. The home side were now in the ascendency and had to build on, and take advantage of, their pressure.

They were dealt another hammer blow on 42 minutes when Buzsaky curled in a superb free-kick, 25 yards out, from the left flank. His shot beat Murphy and flew into his top left-hand corner as the visiting side regained their lead.

The Hungarian thorn in United's side almost completed a first-half hat-trick in the second minute of stoppage time when he weaved his way into space on the edge of the penalty area and struck a shot towards goal which Murphy tipped out.

The Iron had their first chance of the second period on 46 minutes when Hayes burst forward and sent the ball into the box for Sparrow, who got on the end of the cross to direct the ball goalwards. Camp saved well though and the away team lived to fight another day.

Then, the crowd almost saw one of the most bizarre goals in the history of Glanford Park when Joe Murphy's drop-kick took a bounce and, with the momentum of the wind behind it, almost looped over Camp - who quickly back-tracked to tip the ball over the crossbar.

It wasn't long before they found the levelling goal though as Hurst curled the ball against the post from the right for the second time in the game, but there to fire home the rebound from point-blank range was Forte, for his third goal of the season.

The visitors were determined to hang on and not go behind but Scunthorpe carried on pressing. Goodwin had the next chance when he lashed the ball over the crossbar after a Cork pass.

Butler headed a downward header over the crossbar after Hurst's cross from the left, then Hurst had a free-kick from 25 yards deflected narrowly wide, as they continued to push.

Rangers had their first shot of the second period on 77 minutes when Buzsaky sent in a shot which flew over the crossbar.

The Iron made their first change of the game when the bustling Tomi Ameobi replaced Paul Hayes, who had spent a lot of the game out on the left wing.

Vine's shot on goal drew a save from Murphy, while Goodwin had a low shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area tipped out by Camp as the action continued to flow from end-to-end.

Scunthorpe made another change, with Ian Morris coming on for Forte - but QPR's defence held firm and United had to settle for a point.

Nigel Adkins' side are next in action on Saturday when they visit Ipswich Town.

Iron Bar and sponsors' man of the match: Jack Cork. Scunthorpe