The game we just couldn't afford to lose was how nearly all QPR fans saw this one and it was a dramatic day in front of a near sell out crowd. After last weeks defeat Holloway switched back to a 4-4-2 formation with Chris Kiwomya coming in for Matthew Rose and Leon Knight stayed on the right wing.

New signing Marcus Bignot was on the bench along with Danny Maddix but no forward player among the substitutes, which seemed a strange decision by the manager.

Although the ground was pretty near to full it was a quiet atmosphere as the game started, as the fans seemed as nervous as the players. We started quite well though and looked in control. We were passing the ball about from the back and Leon Knight was causing problems down the right. His first run saw an excellent cross and Paul Murrays shot was well saved by Danny Coyne.

Grimsby had two ex QPR players up front in Luke Cornwall and Bradley Allen and Allen was looking quite good when the ball was played into his feet but Grimsby looked like they had come for a draw and they did not attempt to many attacks in the first half an hour.

We looked nervous though and for all our passing it was long balls into Crouch, which caused the most problems. Leon Knights pace was a constant threat and at last we had someone who could put in a decent cross. Karl Ready was the next man to be denied by Coyne before Kiwomya's shot went straight at the keeper when he should have done better.

Peter Crouch had an excellent chance to put us in front when he brought down a cross brilliantly and he used some good skill to find some space but his shot was woeful. Half time was greeted with a few boos but it was a decent performance we just needed a goal to settle the nerves and if we got one I could see us winning easily.

Second half and we came out a different team. From the first kick of the ball we attacked them and tore Grimsby apart. First Kiwomya was put through by Knight and his shot was easily saved before a spell of pressure, which just had to bring a goal. Baraclough did well on the left and his cross found Crouch unmarked from eight yards out and his header was brilliantly saved when he seemed to be heading for the net. If only Crouch could have put some more power into it but soon after Ready met a Knight corner and his powerful header was saved again on the line and it was turning into one of those days.

The day was summed up for me when Kiwomya put a ball across for Knight whose shot flew across the goal and with the goal gapping Crouch didn't know whether to leave it or finish it and ended up putting the ball wide. I couldn't believe we didn't score that chance but more came along as we tore Grimsby apart.

Kiwomya was denied again in a one on one as Danny Coyne was keeping Grimsby in the game on his own. Grimsby made some changes and a free kick by Knight was well hit and the keeper saved again and got up to stop the rebound as well. It was unbelievable stuff and how we weren't 5-0 up was amazing. Paul Murray then went off to be replaced by Marcus Bignot who looked OK in midfield but it was Leon Knight causing havoc on the right but Grimsby seemed to have held out.

Then disaster, a break down the right ended up with a free kick to Grimsby and the cross into the box somehow ended up in the back of the net. It was the most soul-destroying goal conceded since Eric Cantonas 98th minute equaliser in 1996.

We kept going for the last ten minutes and still had some great chances to get a draw but Danny Coyne was unbeatable and somehow we went home with nothing. It was devastating and very difficult to accept, it seemed like that was the final nail in the coffin for us and maybe it will be. It was certainly a game we should have won but if we can continue to play like that and have a little bit of luck then there is no reason why we can't get enough points from the last nine games to stay up.

Man of the Match : Leon Knight

13. Lee Harper : Had nothing to do all game apart from quick kicks to the forwards which he did well. Unlucky with the goal as it took a wicked deflection. 7/10

24. Perry : Linked well with Knight and looks a much better player under Ian Holloway. 7/10

3. Ian Baraclough : His best game for a while, even his crossing was much improved. 7/10

5. Ready : Unlucky not to score but gave away some silly free kicks. 7/10

17. Plummer : Same as Ready, a much improved player this season. 7/10

14. Leon Knight : Superb. Tore Grimsby apart on the right and put in some great crosses. If only we could keep him. 8/10

22. Darlington : Did better going forward but needs to cross the ball rather than try and take on the world. 7/10

8. Peacock : Worked hard but was very inefective in midfield 6/10

7. Paul Murray : Worked so hard and had an excelent game, some of his tackles were excellent. 8/10

26. Crouch : Missed some great chances and did well up front and was very unlucky not to score. 7/10

11. Chris Kiwomya : Like Crouch missed some great chances but got loads of stick from the crowd, something Crouch will never get. 7/10

23. Bigont : Reasonable debut, came on at a difficult time and gave his all. 6/10