QPR SCRAPE a Victory Over Luton

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QPR 3 Luton 2 with two late goals (ht 1-1) Blackstock 41st; 81st Penalty & Furlong 90th minute winner.

GREGORY & BLACKWELL'S COMMENTS - SPORTING LIFE
By Andy Sims, PA Sport

John Gregory branded Paul Furlong his "hero" after the veteran striker virtually secured QPR's Coca-Cola Championship survival in the 3-2 win over Luton at Loftus Road.

Furlong, 38, climbed off the bench to head the dramatic last-minute winner which lifted Rangers seven points clear of the drop zone and left rock-bottom Luton staring relegation in the face.

Chris Coyne and David Bell had cancelled out Dexter Blackstock's opener to put the Hatters on course for their first win under new boss Kevin Blackwell.

But Blackstock coolly tucked home an 80th-minute penalty - won by Furlong - before the former Chelsea and Watford frontman headed the last-gasp winner.

Furlong's intervention handed Gregory's men a third straight win and banished the memory of a missed penalty in the defeat by West Brom last month.

"A couple of weeks ago we were sat here talking about his missed penalty, so he's gone from zero to hero," said the Rangers boss.

"He was devastated when he missed, a few fingers were pointed at him and he felt he'd let everybody down.

"But football is like that - he's come on as a sub and won the penalty and scored the winning goal, so tonight he goes home quite justifiably the hero."

Rangers now look certain to be playing Championship football next season, and Gregory added: "It wasn't pretty, but we're fighting for our lives so we're not here to be pretty. A win against Sunderland and I reckon we'll be safe."

After Blackstock put Rangers ahead against the run of play, Coyne touched in Bell's cross in first-half stoppage time before Bell tucked away a spot-kick after Marc Nygaard had handled.

And Blackwell was unhappy with the penalty decision which allowed Blackstock to drag Rangers level.

Markus Heikkinen was adjudged to have brought down Furlong as both players battled for a high ball, and Blackwell felt his player was fouled.

"I thought the penalty was dubious to say the least," he said.

"To be fair to Furlong he's used all his experience to lean on the lad and he's pulled him over.

"These games are too big to be decided by dodgy penalties like that."

The Hatters are now seven points adrift of safety and Blackwell admitted he was concentrating on building a squad to challenge for promotion from League One next season.

"I've got four games left to see the players and decide who I want to be here and who will be departing," he added.

"It was hard to come into the job after the transfer window. I've got 18 players left to pick from. The trouble with Luton is we're too young, we've not got a squad to compete with the other clubs in this division.

"But I feel for the boys today. They have shown me enough to say they want to play for this club. I thought they were terrific."

Rangers midfielder Gareth Ainsworth's season may be over after he went for an X-ray on a suspected broken ankle. Sporting Life

Blackwell - Dunstable
Blackwell: I'm so proud of my players
Boss questions penalty decision in 3-2 loss to QPR
Hatters boss Kevin Blackwell was left to question the penalty that allowed QPR back into the game in Luton's heart-breaking 3-2 defeat at Loftus Road.

Town had been leading 2-1 after goals from Chris Coyne and David Bell following Dexter Blackstock's opener for the hosts.

But Blackstock levelled in the 81st minute from the spot after Markus Heikkinen was adjudged to have fouled Paul Furlong before Furlong himself hit a last-minute winner.

Blackwell said: "I feel for the boys I really do because they worked ever so hard.

"But I think the penalty was dubious to say the least.

"I don't think it was a penatly. In fairness to Furls he used all his experience to lean on the lad and claim the foul as he went down.

"In pressure cooker games like that it's got to be clear-cut to be a penalty, but that's life.

"I don't think anybody who saw Luton today would say we were a bad side.

"I've got to give them credit. They've had a hard season and have been knocked from pillar to post.

"I've only been here for three games, but they've showed me enough to convince me they want to play for this football club.

"We should have won at Burnley, we should have beaten Southampton and we've had three goals chalked off in the last two games now, but that's what happens to you when you're bottom of the league."

Blackwell continued: "I thought we were terrific again today and carved out a number of chances.

"But you can't squander your chances and Drew Talbot spurned a great chance to make it 3-1.

"It wasn't the turning point because we were still 2-1 up with 25 odd minutes left to play, but 3-1 would have made it much different.

"But we're not going to feel sorry for ourselves. We're professional and have to take winning and losing as part of the game."

The result leaves Luton seven points from safety with just four games remaining. But as Hatters have only won one of their last 18 league games, relegation seems merely a matter of time.

On Town's chances of escaping the drop, Blackwell quipped: "We can always play snooker! No, it was always going to be tough.

"We were four points adrift when I took over and when things happen to you like they have done with goals being chalked of and the like it knocks your confidence.

"But that's why I'm so proud of my players. We had another one chalked off again and then they scored when we were dominating, but we still came back.

"That's what I want. I want to find out who wants to stay here and be part of the future and who should go." Dunstable Today


DAILY MAIL - Furlong leaves it late for Rangers

Golden oldie Paul Furlong virtually secured QPR's Coca-Cola Championship survival with a dramatic winner and left rock-bottom Luton staring relegation in the face.

Chris Coyne and David Bell had cancelled out Dexter Blackstock's opener to put Luton on course for their first win under new boss Kevin Blackwell.

But Blackstock coolly tucked home an 80th-minute penalty and 38-year-old substitute Furlong headed a last-gasp winner to hand John Gregory's men a third straight win and almost certain Championship football next season.

Luton, who had previously taken just one point from their last seven games, were the better side in the first half but still managed to go in behind.

They went at Rangers from the off and Matthew Spring saw an early shot deflected wide.

Town should have gone ahead from the resulting corner when Spring's cross found Markus Heikkinen, but the centre-half's header flew inches past Lee Camp's left-hand post.

Rangers suffered a blow after 20 minutes when Gareth Ainsworth was forced to hobble out of the action after falling awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Coyne.

Luton had the ball in the net shortly before the half-hour mark when Spring's deep cross was met by Drew Talbot but the striker, who had two goals disallowed for offside against Southampton on Saturday, was once again thwarted by a linesman's flag.

Bell then fired in a low drive which Camp scrambled clear before Rangers finally managed a shot, Steve Lomas firing harmlessly high and wide from the edge of the area.

Rangers hit Luton with a sucker-punch four minutes before the break when the visitors failed to clear a bouncing ball in their penalty area and Blackstock calmly side-footed past Dean Brill from 15 yards out.

But Luton hit back with the last kick of the first half as Bell's cross from the right flew through a crowded penalty area and past Camp via Coyne's deft header.

Six minutes after the break Luton took the lead when Marc Nygaard inexplicably stuck out an arm to divert substitute Dean Morgan's cross.

Bell stepped up to send Camp the wrong way for his first goal since October.

Talbot was then denied by Camp at point-blank range when he prodded Calvin Andrew's cross goalwards as Luton looked for a third.

But they were pegged back 10 minutes from time when Heikkinen wrestled Furlong to the ground as both went for a high ball and Blackstock stroked home the penalty for his 13th goal of the season.

And in the final minute Furlong hurled himself at Lomas' cross to secure the victory for Rangers and leave Luton rooted to the foot of the table. Mail

QPR OFFICIAL SITE
OFFICIAL SITE - "Fractured Fibula"

Gareth Ainsworth suffered a fractured fibula in the R's 3-2 victory against Luton Town at Loftus Road.

The Rangers fans' favourite was forced from the fray midway through the first half of the R's Easter Monday clash with their local rivals.

The midfielder was immediately taken to hospital where an X-ray revealed he has sustained a spiral fracture of his left leg.

Ainsworth and physio Prav Mathema will visit a consultant in the next 24 hours, at which stage the extent of the injury will be fully understood. QPR Official Site

Player Reaction QPR - Official Site THAT'S FOR GAZ

Dexter Blackstock dedicated the R's victory to Gareth Ainsworth, who suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury against Luton Town.

The R's winger picked up the injury midway through the first half versus the Hatters, somewhat souring the R's victory celebrations at full-time.

"It's a result tinged with great sadness,'' Blackstock told www.qpr.co.uk.

"Gareth's suffered a bad injury and we're gutted for him. That victory is for him and all the lads wish him all the best with his recovery.''

Blackstock took his goals tally to 13 with a brace against the Hatters, before Paul Furlong rounded off a stunning comeback with a late, late winner.

"It was a crazy match,'' said Blackstock.

"The first goal bounced perfectly for me and it was just a case of hitting the target.

"There was a little bit of gamesmanship after the penalty had been awarded, but I just had to keep my nerve and thankfully I sent the keeper the wrong way.''

Blackstock was also full of praise for the R's match-winner: "We're all delighted for Furs,'' he said.

"You can't buy his sort of experience and after his penalty miss against West Brom, it was fitting that he came up with the winner.''

UpdatedLeague Table:

Played Points Goal Diff
Burnley 41 51 2
QPR 42 49 -12
Leicester 41 47 -12
Hull 42 44 -16
Barnsley 42 44 -28
Leeds 42 42 -24
Southend 42 42 -25
Luton 42 37 -23
- Table

SPORTING LIFE QPR 3 Luton 2 - Andy Sims/PA Sport

Golden oldie Paul Furlong virtually secured QPR's Coca-Cola Championship survival with a dramatic winner and left rock-bottom Luton staring relegation in the face.

Chris Coyne and David Bell had cancelled out Dexter Blackstock's opener to put Luton on course for their first win under new boss Kevin Blackwell.

But Blackstock coolly tucked home an 80th-minute penalty and 38-year-old substitute Furlong headed a last-gasp winner to hand John Gregory's men a third straight win and almost certain Championship football next season.

Luton, who had previously taken just one point from their last seven games, were the better side in the first half but still managed to go in behind.

They went at Rangers from the off and Matthew Spring saw an early shot deflected wide.

Town should have gone ahead from the resulting corner when Spring's cross found Markus Heikkinen, but the centre-half's header flew inches past Lee Camp's left-hand post.

Rangers suffered a blow after 20 minutes when Gareth Ainsworth was forced to hobble out of the action after falling awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Coyne.

Luton had the ball in the net shortly before the half-hour mark when Spring's deep cross was met by Drew Talbot but the striker, who had two goals disallowed for offside against Southampton on Saturday, was once again thwarted by a linesman's flag.

Bell then fired in a low drive which Camp scrambled clear before Rangers finally managed a shot, Steve Lomas firing harmlessly high and wide from the edge of the area.

Rangers hit Luton with a sucker-punch four minutes before the break when the visitors failed to clear a bouncing ball in their penalty area and Blackstock calmly side-footed past Dean Brill from 15 yards out.

But Luton hit back with the last kick of the first half as Bell's cross from the right flew through a crowded penalty area and past Camp via Coyne's deft header.

Six minutes after the break Luton took the lead when Marc Nygaard inexplicably stuck out an arm to divert substitute Dean Morgan's cross.

Bell stepped up to send Camp the wrong way for his first goal since October.

Talbot was then denied by Camp at point-blank range when he prodded Calvin Andrew's cross goalwards as Luton looked for a third.

But they were pegged back 10 minutes from time when Heikkinen wrestled Furlong to the ground as both went for a high ball and Blackstock stroked home the penalty for his 13th goal of the season.

And in the final minute Furlong hurled himself at Lomas' cross to secure the victory for Rangers and leave Luton rooted to the foot of the table. Sporting Life

Minute by minute Match Report - Report

QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Blackstock 41 Blackstock 81 (pen) Furlong 90
Coyne 45 + 4 Bell 51 (pen)
Paul Furlong bagged a 90th minute winner in W12, as the R's came back from 2-1 down to claim a priceless three points.

Furlong's last-gasp header sealed it for the R's, on a day when the importance of the occasion clearly got the better of the Hatters late on.

Earlier, it was a tale of two second half spot-kicks, as Rangers came from behind to equalise with just ten minutes remaining.

Dexter Blackstock - who had earlier put the R's in front - held his nerve from the spot to cancel out Dean Bell's effort.

In a first half lacking in attacking quality, Rangers took the lead.

Blackstock was in the right place at the right time to stroke home his 12th goal of the campaign, after Luton failed to deal with Steve Lomas' 41st minute long throw-in.

Luton responded in kind on the stroke of half-time though, with Chris Coyne adding the all-important touch to Bell's sublime cross.

The victory lifted John Gregory's side seven points clear of safety and with one foot in the Championship next season.

The R's gaffer made three changes to the starting XI.

Club Captain Marcus Bignot, Lomas and Marc Nygaard all returned to the side, with Sampsa Timoska, Jimmy Smith and Furlong making way.

Blackstock was passed fit to lead the R's attack, despite picking up an injury in the latter stages of the R's 1-0 victory at Coventry two days earlier.

Rangers were forced to weather an early Luton storm in W12, with Matthew Spring's 25-yard snap-shot deflected wide for a corner on three minutes.

The Hatters should have been in front from the resultant corner kick, only for Markus Heikkinen to head a golden opportunity wide from the edge of the six-yard box.

The R's first opportunity of the contest fell to Stefan Moore on 12 minutes, but having ushered Nygaard out of the way, he rather tentatively fired into the arms of Dean Brill.

There was a brief scare for the hosts a few minutes later, when Camp - having been caught by a trailing leg whilst clearing his lines - required lengthy treatment.

The Rangers number one was able to return to the fray, but Gregory was forced into his first change midway through the half, with Gareth Ainsworth making way for Jimmy Smith.

The dejected expression on the midfielder's face said it all, with an ankle injury unfortunately ending his afternoon prematurely.

Moore provided a brief glimpse of his undoubted ability when he skinned Hatters right back Keith Keane a minute later, but the on-rushing Lomas kicked at thin air, much to the disappointment of the R's faithful.

The Hatters had a goal chalked out for offside in the 27th minute.

Spring's in-swinging centre reached Drew Talbot, who poked the ball past Camp, only to be flagged for offside by the assistant on the far side.

Rangers were second best all over the park and when Bell cut in from the left flank, Camp tipped the ball to safety, albeit at the second attempt.

They might well have played second fiddle to their lowly visitors for the majority of the first half, but Rangers were in front four minutes before the break.

Blackstock enhanced his ever-growing reputation as the R's fans' favourite, by banging home his 12th of the season from close-range.

Lomas' long throw-in from the right flank was helped on with interest by Nygaard and when Moore nodded the ball back into the danger zone, it fell invitingly into the path of the R's top-scorer, who finished with aplomb from 12-yards.

The lead lasted just five minutes though.

Luton's territorial dominance was rewarded in the first minute of added time, when Bell's right sided cross was met by Coyne, whose glancing header nestled into the far corner of Camp's net.

It was no less than the Hatters deserved, at the end of a half where Rangers failed to live up to the current hype surrounding their recent performances.

Undeterred, the R's began the second half on the front foot, with Blackstock firing a volley on target from Nygaard's knock-down.

But their positive start counted for nothing in the 50th minute, when Nygaard inexplicably handled Dean Morgan's cross, leaving referee Clive Penton with little alternative but to point to the spot.

Bell made no mistake from 12-yards, sending Camp the wrong way, to the delight of the 844 Luton fans that made the trip down from Bedfordshire.

Rangers were struggling to find any real fluency in their game and when Calvin Andrew's cross was flicked on target by Talbot, Camp was called into action yet again, tipping the ball to safety.

That chance prompted Gregory to make two substitutions in as many minutes, with Sampsa Timoska and Paul Furlong entering the fray at the expense of Kanyuka and Nygaard.

Rangers had vocal appeals for a spot-kick midway through the half, when Furlong appeared to be tripped to ground by Heikkinen.

The decision wasn't forthcoming though, much to the disappointment of Gregory, who berated the fourth official on the touchline.

He may've said no then, but he had no hesitancy in pointing to the spot 12 minutes from time, when Heikkinen sent Furlong tumbling to ground yet again.

Blackstock stepped up and with confidence oozing from every cell in his body, stroked the ball into the bottom corner.

The best was saved until last though, when Furlong capped a virtuoso appearance from the bench with the winner in the 90th minute.

Blackstock fed Lomas and when his cross was met by the evergreen striker, Brill was powerless to prevent his downward header from nestling in the back of the net.

It was a truly memorable finish, to an absorbing second half of football.

QPR: Camp, Bignot, Cullip, Bolder, Ainsworth (Smith 22), Lomas, Moore, Kanyuka (Timoska 61), Stewart, Nygaard (Furlong 63), Blackstock.
Subs: Cole, Ricketts.
Scorers: Blackstock 41 & 80, Furlong 90
Bookings: Bolder 50
Luton Town: Brill, Coyne, Spring, Robinson, Emanuel, Brkovic (Morgan 40) (Langley 66), Keane, Heikkinen, Bell, Andrew, Talbot (Idrizaj 83).
Subs: Foley, Perrett.
Scorers: Coyne 45 (+1), Bell (50 - pen)
Bookings: Andrew 77, Heikkinen 78
Referee: Mr C Penton
Attendance: 14, 360 (844)QPR

LUTON OFFICIAL SITE MATCH REPORT

Two late QPR goals saw Luton's Championship survival hopes take another blow in a highly charged Bank Holiday encounter at Loftus Road.

Luton had come within minutes of securing their first win under manager Kevin Blackwell, but were denied by a late Dexter Blackstock penalty and a header from Paul Furlong.

Luton had come from behind after Blackstock had put the home side in front late in the first half before Luton drew level before the interval with Chris Coyne's first goal of the season.

David Bell's penalty then gave Luton the lead early in the second half and just when it looked as if the Hatters may secure a much needed win, they were dealt a double blow through Rangers late surge.

Bell made a welcome return to the starting line-up after missing Saturday's defeat against Southampton through gastroenteritis.

The former Rushden & Diamonds winger was one of two changes with Calvin Andrew making his first start for the Hatters since Boxing Day 2004.

Kevin Foley and Dean Morgan were the players to give way with boss Kevin Blackwell opting not to name a goalkeeper amongst his substitutes.

QPR, fresh from a 1-0 win at Coventry at the weekend, made three changes from that side with Marcus Bignot, Steve Lomas and Marc Nygaard all included.

Blackwell went into the game by ditching his 4-5-1 set-up, which had been used in the previous two fixtures, instead reverting to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation.

Two front men gave Luton more threat in attack and the opening ten minutes saw the visitors dominate the Rangers half as they twice came close to taking the lead.

Firstly, Bell teed up Matthew Spring on the edge of the Rangers area on five minutes, but his low shot was deflected away for a corner.

From the resulting Bell kick, Luton then came within inches of breaking the deadlock when Markus Heikkinen was gifted with a free header, but the Finnish international couldn't find the target from eight yards.

Luton continued to push forward and in the ninth minute Andrew looped a header towards goal, but Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp was able to make a comfortable save.

Rangers had yet to put the Luton defence under any considerable pressure with Blackstock and Marc Nygaard both having half chances that were easily smothered by Luton goalkeeper Dean Brill.

Luton was continuing to put pressure on the Rangers defence and in the 29th minute Drew Talbot was to sensationally have his third goal disallowed in his last two games.

On this occasion Bell's corner from the left was cleared out only as far as Spring who pumped the ball back into the area where Talbot flicked the cross past Camp only to be flagged offside.

Steve Lomas came close for Rangers in a rare chance for the home side in the 34th minute. As Luton's defence failed to clear their lines, the ball fell to the Northern Ireland midfielder but he wasted his opening by scooping a shot over the crossbar.

All of Luton's hard work and possession was soon to count for nothing as the deadlock was broken in the 41st minute through a moment of sloppy defending from the visitors.

Just a minute after Luton were forced into making a change with Morgan replacing Ahmet Brkovic, Rangers went in front with their first real chance of the game.

A throw from the right was not defended probably by the Hatters and Nygaard headed the ball back across goal which was swept home by Blackstock at the second attempt after having his initial shot blocked by Coyne.

The goal was a bitter blow for the Hatters who had dominated the first half and had created the better chances.

However, their efforts were to be rewarded with an equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time as a Bell picked up the ball from Spring and sent in a cross from the right which was nodded in at the near post by Coyne, for Luton's first goal in four matches.

AT HALF TIME: QPR 1 V 1 LUTON

Rangers came out of the blocks strongly at the start of the second half and Blackstock's scuffed shot from 12-yards almost saw the home side regain the lead immediately.

However, six minutes after the restart Luton were to find themselves in front when Nygaard needlessly handled Morgan's left wing cross inside the area. Referee Clive Penton had no hesitation in pointing to the spot as Bell calmly send Camp the wrong way with his kick.

QPR almost responded immediately when Lomas linked up with Stefan Moore down the right but after getting into a promising position the midfielder squandered his cross shooting straight at Brill from an acute angle.

Luton should have extended their lead further when in the 59th minute Lewis Emanuel played in Andrew down the left whose cross picked out Talbot, but the striker could only poke the ball at Camp from six yards.

The Hatters were then forced to reshuffle their line-up as substitute Morgan was substituted himself because of an injury and replaced by former Rangers player Richard Langley.

Luton were then put under the cosh as Rangers bombarded the visitors' penalty area with crosses from either flank after Paul Furlong was introduced into the action to add some aerial threat.

The Hatters were defending solidly but a debatably penalty decision by Penton was to see Rangers get themselves back on level terms from the penalty spot in the 81st minute when Heikkinen was penalised for bringing down Furlong inside the area.

After a long delay due to some angry exchanged words between the two sets of players, Blackstock kept his cool to send Brill the wrong way.

Then things took a turn for the worst as Hatters somehow squandered their point as Furlong got his head onto the end of a cross in the closing stages to beat Brill from eight yards.
Luton Official Site

BBC - QPR 3-2 Luton
Paul Furlong all but secured QPR's Championship survival with a dramatic late winner and left rock-bottom Luton staring relegation in the face.

Dexter Blackstock put QPR ahead from 15 yards out but Chris Coyne headed Luton level before half-time.

Luton took the lead through David Bell's penalty after Marc Nygaard's handled a Dean Morgan cross.

But Blackstock responded from the spot after Markus Heikkinen fouled Furlong, who then headed in Steve Lomas' cross. BBC

Dunstable Today - Luckless Hatters lose at QPR
3-2 defeat leaves Luton closer to relegation
QPR 3 Luton 2

Luckless Luton somehow fell to defeat at Loftus Road despite dominating for long periods in a highly-charged Easter Monday relegation battle with QPR.

Chris Coyne's header and a David Bell penalty either side of half-time had deservedly put Town 2-1 ahead after the hosts had taken the lead against the run of play through Dexter Blackstock.

But after Drew Talbot missed a gilt-edged chance to win the points for Hatters, Rangers equalised with Blackstock's second from the spot in the 81st minute before substitute Paul Furlong grabbed a dramatic last minute winner.

The result was a devastating blow to Hatters leaving them rock bottom and now needing a near miracle to escape relegation with just four games remaining.

Kevin Blackwell abandoned the cagey 4-5-1 approach he had adopted for his first two games in charge and instead switched to a more familiar 4-4-2 system.

The Town line-up saw Bell return to the side after missing Saturday's 2-0 reverse to Southampton through gastroenteritis, while 20-year-old striker Calvin Andrew came in for his first start of the season.

Kevin Foley and Dean Morgan were the two players to make way.

QPR meanwhile made three changes to the side that won 1-0 at Coventry as Marcus Bignot, Steve Lomas and Marc Nygaard all returned to the side.

Luton went into the game having scored just once in their last five outings.

But the return to two strikers up front gave Town much more of a presence in the final third and for the opening 10 minutes Hatters offered as much of an attacking threat as they had in their previous matches against Saints and Burnley.

In the third minute, a superbly timed challenge by Keith Keane on Blackstock allowed the full-back to free Talbot down the right and the striker's cross only just failed to reach Andrew as Damion Stewart intervened.

Two minutes later a half-cleared Town cross from the right saw Bell tee-up Matthew Spring for a 20-yard shot that was deflected behind for a corner.

And from the resulting Bell flag kick, Markus Heikkinen was gifted a glorious opportunity only to open the scoring, unmarked in the centre of goal eight yards out only to put his header past the post.

Another Bell corner in the eighth minute saw Andrew nod a 10-yard effort that deflected over and the forward then looped a header goalwards two minutes later from Lewis Emanuel's deep free-kick, only for home goalkeeper Lee Camp to safely gather.

Rangers then got to grips with Luton for a period until another corner in the 28th minute led to Talbot unbelievably having his third goal disallowed in his last two games.

This time Bell's corner from the left was cleared out to the right flank where Spring collected and centred for Talbot, still left in the area, to turn home at the far post through Camp's legs only to be flagged offside.

Busy Bell then twice went close to creating a goal in the space of 30 seconds in the 32nd minute.

Firstly he produced a superb curling cross from the right that was crying out to be met at the far post by either Talbot or Ahmet Brkovic only for the pair to leave the ball to each other.

Then moments on, Bell collected the ball in midfield and advanced to strike a slightly mishit 25-yard effort that was awkwardly dealt with by Camp.

Town were forced into a change in the 41st minute as Dean Morgan replaced Brkovic and that substitution coincided with the hosts taking the lead with their first real attack.

A throw from the right was not defended quickly enough and as the ball came across, Nygaard rose above Keane at the far post to head back into the penalty area towards Blackstock.

The forward's first effort was blocked by Coyne only for the rebound to fall perfectly to the striker to sweep home from nine yards to Brill's left.

The goal was a body blow to Hatters who had dominated up until that point, but they struck back and levelled in first-half stoppage time with a well worked goal.

Bell took a throw in from the right and then received the ball back from Spring to cross left-footed for Coyne, ghosting in at the near post, to glance a header into the far corner of the net for Town's first goal under Blackwell's reign.

The second goal was not long in following as, six minutes after the break, Nygaard needlessly handled a Morgan cross from the left in the area and Bell calmly stepped up to sidefoot his spot-kick high into the right-hand corner to give Luton the lead.

The Rs briefly rallied as Blackstock's pass down the right in the 57th minute saw the overlapping Lomas try a shot from an acute angle only for Brill to safely collect at his near post.

Instead, Town should have hit a third when another intricate move saw Spring release Emanuel down the left, who in turn played in Andrew to cross for Talbot, but the striker could only prod at Camp from four yards out when it seemed easier to score.

Substitute Morgan was substituted himself in the 67th minute by Richard Langley due to injury and as the game wore on Luton, understandably, began to show some nerves.

In the 69th minute Town were lucky to escape a strong Rangers penalty appeal when Heikkinen felled substitute Paul Furlong in the area only for referee Clive Penton to allow play to continue.

Heikkinen was not so fortunate 10 minutes later though as this time he was penalised for preventing Furlong getting to a cross from the right and after a long delay due to some argy-bargy, Blackstock stepped up to roll home the spot-kick into the bottom right-hand corner.

Rangers sensed a winner and after Brill saved Jimmy Smith's 20-yarder in the 83rd minute, the goal duly arrived as Lomas crossed from the left for Furlong to dive full-length and nod past Brill into the corner of the net from 14 yards.

QPR: Lee Camp, Pat Kanyuka (Sampsa Timoska, 62), Danny Cullip, Damion Stewart, Marcus Bignot, Gareth Ainsworth (Jimmy Smith, 23), Adam Bolder, Steve Lomas, Stefan Moore, Marc Nygaard (Paul Furlong, 64), Dexter Blackstock. Substitutes unused: Jake Cole, Rohan Ricketts.

Luton: Dean Brill, Keith Keane, Chris Coyne, Markus Heikkinen, Lewis Emanuel, Ahmet Brkovic (Dean Morgan, 41 (Richard Langley, 67)), Matthew Spring, Steve Robinson, David Bell, Calvin Andrew, Drew Talbot (Besian Idrizaj, 85). Substitutes unused: Kevin Foley, Russ Perrett.

Referee: Clive Penton.

Attendance: 14,360 (844 from Luton). Dunstable Today