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It was far from perfect though as Palace almost took an early lead. Rangers were caught out on the right and an excellent cross was headed just wide by Carlisle for a corner. Palace then had a a few corners and caused Rangers some problems. Miklokso seemed to get hurt punching out one cross but was OK after some treatment. Rangers got it together though and earned a corner after some good work from Wardley. Richard Langley fired in the corner and our usual set piece actually worked. All the players got into a huddle in the middle and then burst into different directions. Usually this results an easy clearance but this week the ball fell nicely to Crouch who struck home well from close range. We looked good at this stage but almost conceded straight away after some sloppy defending. Chris Plummer denied Palace an equaliser by clearing Simon Rodger's right-wing free-kick off the line after the swinging delivery evaded everyone and almost ended up in the net. We should have made it 2-0 after a good move. Jermaine Darlington hit an excellent cross and Crouch found himself unmarked but headed straight at the keeper when he should have scored. Langley then went on a run using some excellent skill to cut in from the left and make some space for a shot. Instead he rolled a beautiful pass through to Koejoe but the Dutchman didn't read it and the move was wasted. Koejoe was working hard upfront but never really looked like scoring. Ian Baraclough had a good chance when he latched onto Koejoe's lay-off and lobbed the keeper but it went wide. Palace did end the half strong and Mikael Forssell volleyed over from close-range and Clinton Morrision was causing us problems up front. We then missed a great chance to go two goals up, Craig Harrison gave the ball away deep in his own half and Wardley found himself through with just the keeper to beat. I was sure this would be the killer goal but he hit it straight at the keeper and the gave the majority of the crowd more reason to boo him. Palace has stepped up a gear but Connolly almost nicked us a goal but headed over the bar. Miklosko then made an excellent double save from Forsell and a goal looked on the way. It soon followed in pantomine fashion. Matthew Rose cleared but the ball smashed Baraclough in the face and fell to Morrison who took his chance very well. Only one side were going to win the game from here and it wasn't us. With no Strikers on the bench we began to run out of ideas and the long ball soon returned. Connolly was trying hard in midfield as was Langley but the majority of their good work was un done by feeble crossing from Darlington. Connolly almost got us a winner when his shot was fired just wide but as an attacking force we were woeful in the second half. A huge cheer greeted Wardley being taken off but I wasn't cheering as Mark Perry was never going to change the game for us unless he went into defence for Carlisle to go up front. This didn't happen and just handed the initiative to Palace. Dougie Freeman came on late in the game and his dream of scoring against us (therefore slapping Francis in the face for the way he was treated) should have been realised but with Miklosko on the floor he fired high and wide in injury time. A point was a fair result as each side had a good half each but on chances Palace had enough to beat us easily. Man of the Match : Chris Plummer PLAYERS RATINGS 1. Ludo - Made some excellent saves to keep us in it but almost cost us a point in the last few seconds. 7/10 22. Darlington - Defended well but going forward he was very frustrating. He takes on one player to many and failed to get good crosses over. 6/10 3. Baraclough - Got a few knocks to his face but carried on and almost scored a godd goal. 7/10 12. Rose - A much better game from Rose who seemed to bring the ball out of defence more often. 7/10 18. Carlisle - Struggled at times against a lively attack but gave it his all again. 6/10 17. Plummer - Did very well against Morrision. He did make some mistakes but battled hard and is making a big difference to our defence. 7/10 10. Karl Connolly : was very good in the first half making runs and trying to create but seemed to get very tired in the second half. 7/10 27. Wardley - Tried hard as ever and a better display by him. Should have scored when clean through though. 6/10 21. Langley - He was helped by Connollys return and had a very good game in midfield. He is always looking for movement in front of him but rarely finds it. 7/10 28. Crouch - Scored a godo goal but missed a sitter to kill the game off. Was hardly in the game after that but was given no service from wide areas. 6/10 31. Sammy Koejoe - worked hard trackign back in defence and holding the ball up. If he can add some goals he will be a decent player. 7/10 Subs 24- Perry - not a midfield player and ended up playing back in defence. 6/10
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A must win game at Loftus Road and the starting line up brought
few surprised. The dreadful Steve Morrow was dropped for Karl
Connolly whilst Michel Ngonge was replaced by Sammy Koejoe. We
started the game well and showed all the good qualities we have.
We passed the ball well and attacked down the flanks.
The
second half was always going to be key to the match and we had
to start off well. And we did seem to be more alive in the opening
minutes but palace had a few chances to equalise. Matthew Rose
slid in to deny Morrison after Chris Plummer mis-cued a backpass
and Miklosko kept out Hayden Mullins' shot at his near post. Then
Forssell fired over after getting the better of Plummer on the
edge of the box.