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QPR 1 Peterborough 1
Peterborough took the lead. QPR equalized in the first half, through Routledge (again). A disturbingly-low gate of just under 12,000 were there for today's game QPR, still without a home win in the Championship, now have seven points from six games UPDATED TABLE. (Last Season after 6 games, Iain Dowie's QPR had 13 points. All QPR fans know what Dowie's fate was. And Sousa's.]
QPR now have a mideweek home game against Crystal Palace who lost 0-4 at home (which means an enraged Palace will be coming to Loftus Road).
QPR Official Site - Magilton Comments- HOME FORM IS VITAL
- Jim Magilton conceded the R's need to improve on their home league form after his side were held at home by Peterborough this afternoon.
- Wayne Routledge pulled the scores level after Aaron McLean had given Posh the lead, and the R's Gaffer told www.qpr.co.uk: "Any successful campaign at this level is more or less built on your home form.
- "I just felt that there was a nervousness about us at times. The opposition, to their credit, all came here and enjoyed it - probably too much.
- "We started brightly but didn't sustain it, and allowed the opposition to come into the game with an excellent goal.
- "We then got back into the match with the goal, and you're expecting a real onslaught then in the second half.
- "But that didn't happen.
- "But, after a two week break, it's nice to get that one out of the way."
- The R's boss admitted he is still working towards where he wants his side to be, and also praised the home debuts of both Ben Watson and Jay Simpson, commenting: "They have trained well for two weeks.
- "The quality of our play in training has been outstanding, but what really matters is at three o'clock when you cross that white line.
- "At times we were hesitant, sloppy and our decision making was poor. But it's a work-in-progress.
- "I thought Ben passed the ball well, and I think that he will be better with games - he's probably a bit ring-rusty. He certainly adds quality to our team.
- "Jay worked tirelessly up front, and probably had a real good chance to win it for us.
- "But he's coming out of reserve team football, and I like what I've seen from him. He gives us that little bit of difference with regards to playing on people's shoulders, and running in behind." QPR
Sporting Life - Magilton - Nerves Are Costing Us
By Andy Sims, Press Association Sport
- QPR boss Jim Magilton admits nerves are getting the better of his team after they failed to break their home win duck against newly-promoted Peterborough.
Mega-rich Rangers are, once again, expected to push for promotion this season but some of their players are wobbling under the weight of expectations at Loftus Road and they did so again in a 1-1 draw.
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.
Posh went ahead through Aaron Mclean but Wayne Routledge's goal ensured Rangers escaped with a point from an unconvincing display.
Any successful campaign is built around your home form," said Magilton.
"We are stuttering, there's a nervousness about us at times. The opposition have come here and enjoyed it - probably a bit too much.
- "I don't know what to put it down to. At times we were hesitant, sloppy and our decision making was poor.
- "Our play at times is good but that's not enough, especially at home where expectation levels rise. You've got to be able to handle that and maybe some can't."
- At least Flavio Briatore was not present to witness an out-of-sorts showing from his expensively-assembled outfit, the chairman apparently having more pressing matters to deal with on the grand prix circuit.
- But Magilton will be in no doubt he needs results, and fast, with the Italian not noted for his patience with under-performing managers.
- Rangers fell behind in the 16th minute when debutant Ben Watson, on loan from Wigan, gave the ball away and Tommy Williams' cross was glanced in by Mclean.
Watson atoned for his error with a goal-saving tackle to deny Lee Frecklington, and the hosts hauled themselves level 10 minutes before the break when Arsenal loanee Jay Simpson was put though by Tottenham's Adel Taarabt and cut the ball back for Routledge to tuck away.
But the anticipated second-half onslaught did not materialise and it was Posh who came closest to grabbing a winner when Tommy Rowe missed a good late chance.
And they were denied a first victory of the season when Craig Mackail-Smith was flagged offside as he fired home in stoppage time.
"I'll have to look at that again," said manager Darren Ferguson. "But I thought we deserved three points over the 90 minutes.
"You always need a bit of luck and we are just not getting it at the moment.
"But there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves. As long as we keep putting in performances like that then we will get the wins." Sporting Life
Peterborough Official Site - Posh Pick Up Point At Loftus Road
Peterborough United thought they were celebrating their first win in the Coca-Cola Championship after Craig Mackail-Smith scored from close-range, but the offside flag curtailed the celebrations and Posh were forced to settle for a point.
QPR new signing Ben Watson registered the first effort on goal as he let fly from a 25-yard free-kick, but goalkeeper Joe Lewis made a routine save.
Lewis was well placed to deny Adel Taarabt on seven minutes as the Hoops continued to dominate the early stages at Loftus Road.
Aaron Mclean glanced a header wide from a Tom Williams cross on 10 minutes before Lewis and Taarabt resumed their battle, again the goalkeeper winning the duel as the loanee fired goal-wards.
The home side were certainly intent on getting their shots off with Leigertwood the latest to try his luck, the shot going well wide of the target.
Darren Ferguson's men were, as ever, dangerous when attacking though and Craig Mackail-Smith saw a shot deflect inches wide of the target on the quarter hour mark after a spell of sustained pressure from the visitors.
The pressure was rewarded on 17 minutes as Aaron MCLEAN glanced home a superb header after an excellent cross from former QPR defender Tom Williams.
Chris Whelpdale, making his first start of the season, tested Cerny from distance with the goalkeeper pushing the skidding effort around the post.
The lively Taarabt fired over the crossbar on 25 minutes after finding some space in midfield as Jim Magilton's men tried to settle after the shock of falling behind.
Mclean fired an ambitious volley from a tight angle over the bar on 29 minutes after a glorious pass from George Boyd.
The hosts continued not to be frightened by long range shots, Connolly the latest to have a go, causing more panic in the stand behind the goal than for goalkeeper Lewis.
Zakuani was cautioned for a foul on loanee striker Jay Simpson on 34 minutes and moments later the home side were on level terms as the ball fell to Simpson who in turn found the unmarked ROUTLEDGE who slotted the ball into the net from close-range.
Moments before the equaliser, Posh could have been 2-0 in front after Mackail-Smith found the unmarked Frecklington, but he took a heavy touch and Connolly got back to clear. Posh had appeals for a penalty turned down less than 60 seconds after the Rangers strike as Whelpdale appeared to be felled in the area, but the referee was unmoved.
Hogan Ephraim fired wide from a tight angle on 42 minutes after bursting into the penalty area past Frecklington as the home side tried to end the half with a flurry.
Half-time: QPR 1-1 Peterborough United
Mackail-Smith tested Cerny on 49 minutes with a fierce half-volley after a good link-up with strike partner Mclean as Posh made a bright start to the second period.
Whelpdale was looking strong on the right hand side of midfield and his fine run and pass created a shooting opportunity for Frecklington, but he dragged his effort wide.
Posh were fortunate that midfielder Ben Watson didn't get hold of his shot how he desired on 57 minutes after making the most of a lucky ricochet before the hosts made a double change.
Posh responded in kind with Boyd making way for summer signing Tommy Rowe.
Toumani Diagouraga was superbly denied by the legs of Cerny on 67 minutes, the save even more special because it took a deflection en-route.
Posh were piling on the pressure with Craig Morgan seeing a header go across the six-yard box while Rowe's goal-bound shot took a deflection that the officials failed to spot.
Frecklington curled a shot wide of the target after good pressure on the ball from Posh, forcing the home side further and further back into their defensive zone when in possession.
Captain Russell Martin saw a free-kick tipped over the bar by Cerny on 81 minutes, but in truth, the effort was fairly comfortable for the goalkeeper to save.
Jay Simpson squandered a presentable opportunity to make it 2-1 on 84 minutes, but after a good first touch, he blazed over.
At the other end, Rowe only needed to connect with a Williams centre to give Posh the lead, but the midfielder, who came on as a substitute early in the second period, missed it completely.
The Posh hearts were in mouths on 88 minutes as Zakuani met a Buzsaky cross, but he thankfully headed it wide of the target. Moments later, and Posh thought they were ahead as Mackail-Smith slotted home from close-range after Cerny spilled a Batt shot, but the offside flag curtailed the celebrations. Batt was cautioned for a foul in stoppage time. - Att: 11,814 (1094 away) Peterborough Official Site
QPR Official Site - Rangers frustrated in draw with newly-promoted Posh
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 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 did 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) QPR
SOCCERNET
[b]Soccernet - Hoops claim fortuitous draw[/b]
Match Stats
Queens Park Rangers Peterborough United
Shots (on Goal) 19(9) 14(7)
Fouls 9 8
Corner Kicks 8 8
Offsides 2 1
Time of Possession 50% 50%
Yellow Cards 2 2
Red Cards 0 0
Saves 7 5
Wayne Routledge's goal ensured QPR escaped with a 1-1 draw from an unconvincing display against newly-promoted Peterborough at Loftus Road.
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. Soccernet
- Minute-by-Minute
Peterborough Evening Telegraph/ By Nick Reinis & Alan Swann Report
A disallowed injury time strike means the Posh remain without a league win this season.
Craig Mackail-Smith responded first to a fumble by QPR keeper Radek Cerny to smash the ball home in the dying seconds of the match.
But the 'goal' was disallowed for offside, much to the disappointment of the strong travelling support.
A win would not have been a flattering result for the Posh, who gave a solid account of themselves throughout the match.
And it was the Posh who took the lead with an early strike from Aaron Mclean.
Mclean put Posh ahead after just 18 minutes, glancing home a smart header from a superb Tommy Williams cross.
However, QPR drew level before the break after a series of defensive mix ups.
Good work by Adel Taarabt set up Jay Simpson, who laid it off to Wayne Routledge for the simplest of finishes in the 36th minute.
Before the match, Posh boss Darren Ferguson restored Chris Whelpdale to the starting line up at the expense of Shaun Batt, who moved to the substitutes' bench. Peterborough Today
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