Although we know that Thomson is on the transfer list the truth is he failed a late fitness test, which meant he missed the game through injury. Replacing the injured players Ian Holloway turned to youth in a surprising line up. Danny Murphy replaced Paul Bruce at left back with Danny Shittu also returning in place of Aziz Ben Askar who was on the bench. Leroy Griffiths replaced Karl Connolly on the left while Alex Bonnot partnered Gavin Peacock in midfield. Doudou and Richard Pacquette was the strike force which raised a few eyebrows among the supporters as we were relying on a partnership with only two goals between them this season to get the goals in this game. We needn't have worried though as the front two were excellent throughout and we went forward with a lot of enthusiasm in the first half. We attacked the loft from the start and looked dangerous from the first whistle. Doudou was causing all sorts of problems running at Bury with skill and pace and they obviously targeted him early on as some of the tackles flying in were pretty nasty. Bury knew who our danger man was and seemed like they had a game plan to kick him off the pitch and rattle the rest of the team. It didn't work though as we are not a one man team. Leroy Griffiths caused problems on the left with his power and pace and his cross was turned just wide by Doudou. Richard Pacquette also found himself with time and space to give us the lead but his shot was well saved. It only seemed a matter of time before we took the lead and when we did it was worth the wait. Pacquette did well winning the ball and in space he powered his shot goal wards but the keeper produced a good save, the rebound though fell to Griffiths whose shot was so powerful it almost burst the net to give us a deserved lead. Leroy ran off in ecstasy, as that was his first goal since September and his first league goal in front of the loft. It was great to see him score as Leroy has tons of potential and the abuse he was suffering at the hands of Rangers fans earlier in the season was out of order and lets hope this goal takes him onto better things. We continued to press forward and Richard Pacquette had several good chances to extend the lead but his shots were well saved by the keeper whilst Gavin Peacock also went close with a good shot from the edge of the area. We were looking extremely comfortable and it got better after a horrendous tackle on Doudou. On the half way line as we broke away Doudou received the ball and Steve Redmond came in with a rash two footed tackled from behind and Doudou looked to be seriously injured. The ref had no choice but to send the player off after having warned the same player before for some late tackles on Doudou. As is always the way when you play against ten men we started to relax and suddenly Bury had their best spell of the game. Jon Newby began to come into the game more and they almost drew level with a 30 yard free kick which was heading for the top corner before Fraser Digby pulled off a magnificent save to keep us ahead at half time. As the seconds half started it seemed clear that we needed that second goal to kill the game off. Bury didn't create many chances but from free kicks and corners they looked dangerous at times and a few nerves began to fill the stadium. It didn't last though as we soon got that all important second goal and it was a cracking finish as well. Pacquette again got himself into space well and was put through by a back heel by Doudou and this time Pacquette made no mistake striking an unstoppable shot past the keeper from the edge of the area. It was no more than Pacquette deserved who produced his best performance so far for Rangers and showed the fans and management that he has the potential to become an excellent player. Pacquette had another chance to score soon after when good work on the right saw him in space and his turn and shot was pulled wide when he perhaps should have found the target. He was taken off soon afterwards to a standing ovation by the QPR fans and was replaced by fellow teenager Brian Fitzgerald for his first team debut. Danny Murphy was also taken off after being booked and it was a sensible decision with the game virtually won it was best to keep Murphy away in case the ref evened things up and sent Murphy off. Mark Perry came on and almost scored after a good run and his shot was straight at the keeper. We took our foot off the pedal though and didn't really go after Bury and try to improve our goal difference. Bury themselves keep giving their all and tried to pass the ball on the ground. Those fans who headed for the exit early missed the goal of the game in injury time. Marcus Bignot got the ball on the left cut inside and curled a superb shot into the top corner. It was the goal of the game and possibly the goal of the season and was fully deserved by Bignot who works so hard for the team and rarely gets a chance for the glory that a goal like that brings. So without our first choice striker force we managed to win comfortably and produce an impressive display. Results elsewhere were kind to us so we are now three points ahead of seventh place and we have closed the gap on those teams above us. The chant of "The R's are going Up" was a bit premature but if we continue to work hard and play the way we did against Bury then I think we have a great chance of getting promotion this season. Man of the Match: Richard Pacquette Players Ratings: 30. Fraser Digby: Made one cracking save from a free kick but didn't have much else to do. His kicking is still poor but he continues to do well in goal for us. 7/10 17. Terrell Forbes: Always looking to get forward and support Doudou and Bignot but sat back a bit in the second half after we got the second goal. 7/10 23. Danny Murphy: Struggles at times against Newby but is improving all the time and looks very comfortable on the ball. 7/10 4. Steve Palmer: Caught out for pace a few times but his experience gets him through matches. He made some vital interceptions to stop Bury breaking through which tend to go unnoticed by many supporters. 7/10 31. Danny Shittu: Wasn't under too much pressure but did nothing wrong and only enhanced his growing reputation among QPR fans. 7/10 11. Marcus Bignot: Deserved his goal after working so hard throughout the game and getting back to the kind of form which made him so popular towards the end of last season. 7/10 8. Gavin Peacock: He is always looking for the ball and adds something extra to our midfield. He is past his best now but is still more than good enough for this level and his return to the team has had a massive influence on our recent good form. 7/10 26. Alex Bonnot: Another decent performance as he tried to create chances for the front two and used the simple ball rather than anything flash. He also works hard in midfield and is good squad player. 7/10 14. Leroy Griffiths: Caused major problems for Bury on the left with his power and pace and he never stopped running throughout the game. He looked full of enthusiasm and it was great to see him score in front of the Loft. 8/10 22. Richard Pacquette: His movement was excellent for us and he got himself in several good positions to score. He needs to show a bit more composure in front of goal but for such a young player he can be proud of his performance and his goal was superbly taken. 8/10 29. Doudou: He is the difference between us and most other teams in this division. His pace and skill is superb and he is a joy to watch at times. He is improving all the time and linked well with Pacquette. 8/10 Subs: 2. Mark Perry: Slotted onto the right wing and did a decent job as ever. Nothing spectacular he just does his goes about his job quietly. 7/10 35. Brian Fitzgerald: Showed some good touches and looked good on the floor, reminded me of a young Bradley Allen and almost grabbed a goal when his header went just wide in injury time. 7/10
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