QPR's Loss. Blackpool's Gain

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Times December 2, 2007 - Camp can’t halt slump
Blackpool 1 QPR 0Pete Oliver at Bloomfield Road

BLACKPOOL manager Simon Grayson was undecided whether to serve his opposite number Luigi De Canio a glass of chianti or a pint of bitter after the match, but whichever he chose would have tasted sweet in Grayson’s own mouth as his side gave themselves breathing space at the bottom of the table with a dramatic late goal.

Ben Burgess had spent two months out of the side after an ankle operation, but could not have timed his return better as his stoppage-time header gave Blackpool only their second victory in 14 league games to inject new life into their attempt to avoid an instant return to League One.

“It’s another three points in our campaign to stay up,” said Grayson. “It’s a big boost. Psychologically it would have been hard for the players if we had not got three points.”

Blackpool dominated for long periods but, not for the first time this season, struggled to land a decisive blow. Burgess himself was twice denied by QPR goalkeeper Lee Camp, who also saved from Andy Morrell in a sterling performance that spared him the wrath of his manager. De Canio was not so pleased with some of his other players, however, as the revival promised by the new regime at Loftus Road continues to stutter.

“It was not the good performance I expected from the team,” said De Canio, who is yet to add to the win he enjoyed in his first match in charge at the end of October.

“I hoped the team would do better than they did,” the Italian added through a translator. “However, we were not able to play and that was down to Blackpool. They were always aggressive and stopped us from playing our game.”

Rangers will take some consolation from the fact that, defensively at least, they did look up for the fight as their relegation fight heads for midwinter. But all of their efforts were largely concentrated on trying to keep Blackpool at bay, something they managed through a combination of Camp’s excellence and poor finishing until Burgess pounced on a miscued defensive header to nod the ball in from 10 yards out.

“When you miss opportunities you think it might not be your day but I said to the players that we would get one more chance,” Grayson added. “It was like time stood still when Ben headed the ball. When it went in it was a great relief to everybody and it was what we deserved for our second-half performance, which was outstanding.”

Match stats

Star man: Ben Burgess(Blackpool)

Player ratings.

Blackpool:Rachubka 6, Barker 6, Jackson 6, Gorkss 6, Crainey 7, Hoolahan 7, Jorgensen 6, Southern (Fox 12min, 6), Welsh 5 (Taylor-Fletcher 59min, 6), Burgess 8, Slusarski 5 (Morrell 54min, 6)
QPR:Camp 8, Rowlands 6, Stewart 5, Malcolm 6, Barker 6, Sinclair 5, Buzsaky 6 (Moore 75min), Bolder 6, Leigertwood 6, Sahar 5 (Nygaard ht, 5), Vine 6 (Ainsworth 68min, 6) The Times

MIRROR - HUNGRY BIG BEN STRIKES

Blackpool goal hero Ben Burgess hopes his injury hoodoo is over after firing the Seasiders to a crucial victory.

Burgess returned from a two-month absence to head Blackpool's stoppage-time winner and lift them clear of Rangers in the scrap to get away from the foot of the Championship.

"I thought I could have played a couple of games ago but that's up to the gaffer," said Burgess. "He put me in and hopefully I repaid him."

Burgess had just 13 starts and two goals last season but with three goals in five league starts this term, he is ready to play a big role in keeping Simon Grayson's team up.
"The last couple of months were frustrating," he added. "But I'm back and hopefully I can stay in and stay injury-free."
Burgess looked set for more agony as Rangers keeper Lee Camp made two stunning saves to keep the big striker at bay.
But the Seasiders' domination finally paid off when Burgess pounced on a weak clearance.
Substitute Gareth Ainsworth tried to spark some life into Rangers late on and now wants more of the action in a bid to help kick-start the new regime at Loftus Road.
"I'm like a loaded spring waiting for my chance," said Ainsworth. "I am ready if the gaffer chooses me. We have a battle on our hands to get out of the bottom three." Mirror

Also: Other QPR vs Blackpool Match Reports: Earlier Reports on QPR vs Blackpool and Other Reports and Comments