A first ever trip to the impressive JJB stadium for QPR as we faced Wigan in a league match for the first time in the clubs history. Upon arriving at the stadium it was an impressive sight. It is located behind a shopping Mall similar to the one at Reading and the stadium is very similar to Huddersfield.

Inside the facilities are excellent (although the choice of music was a little bizarre) and the staff worked quickly to get supporters drinks and food served. Despite the long queues we were all served pretty quickly which makes a change from other grounds I've been to in this and the first division.

As we made our way to our seats the view was pretty impressive as was the QPR support. The turnout looked like being around 1,800, which is more than I expected, and we in good voice early on. It was surprising though to hear the team read out. Paul Bruce, Dou Dou and Stuart Wardley were all left out as Aziz-Askar and Mark Perry returned from injury and Christer Warren made surprise returns to the first team.

The first half was pretty even with both sides having chances. Rangers enjoyed some good possession at times and we looked a lot better than we did on Tuesday. Mark Perry gave us more strength on the right and what we lacked going forward we made up for with a solid display. Rangers looked to keep the ball and open up the Wigan defence but we lacked that creative spark in midfield to open them up to often.

Leroy Griffiths had our best chance early on after a good move saw him clean through and one on one with the keeper he hit a weak shot straight at the keeper. Leroy was once again busy up front closing people down and chasing lost causes, his sheer energy and commitment helped win us several throw ins and corners.

Wigan looked an average side at best and had one chance to get in front through a header after slack defending by Rangers. Apart from that the back four were looking solid with Askar back in the team and Rose and Bignot were doing well in central midfield. At times we were playing some good stuff and one good move down the right saw Leroy set free in the box and his pull back found Connolly ten yards out but his shot hit the post and bounced back into the waiting arms of the Wigan goalkeeper.

Connolly should have done better and we paid for it minutes later. Rose gave away the ball in midfield and Wigan broke down the right and cross in by Ashcroft saw Dinning have a free header and head against the bar and bounce over the line.

Chris Day scrambled to get the ball but the linesman gave a goal and all the good work done by Rangers was undone with one moment of slack defending.

Thankfully though Rangers had enough character to bounce back quickly and a miss hit goal kick found Andy Thomson and our leading scorer found the bottom corner of the net as most fans made their way to the bar. The half time whistle blew seconds later and it was a great way to end the half. Holloway made no changes at half time and we saw a much improved performance second half.

Wigan rarely threatened in the second half as Rangers kept the ball well but again lacked that creative spark to kill the game off. Instead we got into some good positions but the final ball let us down and we also got loads of corners but again we created very little from those.

Karl Connolly was the one having the most joy for us as he had several shots from the edge of the area after some good work on the wing. He was linking well with Griffiths and having his best game for a long time. I felt we needed to bring Dou Dou on for Perry with about 20 minutes to go as Wigan looked happy with a point and if could just open them up I felt sure the strikers would take the chances. Holloway though made a strange change taking off Thomson and bringing on Dou Dou.

I can see the reasoning behind this as Perry was having a solid game on the right but for all his strengths he does not have the pace or guile to open teams up the way Dou Dou can but by keeping him on the pitch that meant we stayed solid and at least made sure we kept the point we had rather than throwing it away again.

For the last 15 minutes it was all Rangers but still we didn't create many chances. A few long range shots from Dou Dou and Connolly was all we had to show for it and the five minutes of extra time added gave us that sinking feeling that we would lose it again. But during those five minutes we didn't look in any trouble and a well earned draw seemed to be on the way until a free kick was given after a needless foul on Connolly.

Mark Perry ran over to take it and swung in an excellent delivery which was flicked past his own keeper by Ged Brannon. The away end erupted at this point as we all hugged friends and strangers and the relief was unbelievable. All those away games where we have thrown it away at the death and now we had nicked one with the last kick of the game. And indeed it was as the referee blew within seconds of the re start. Ian Holloway ran onto the pitch to celebrate with the players and it was one bit party for Rangers fans.

The journey home was made all the better for that last minute goal and anyone in first class on the train home will now know that Thommo is the King and saviour of our football team as the songs and the beer flowed all the way home. So a deserved victory by Rangers as we again showed what great character we have in the side and we are not far away from having a very good side.

Man of the Match: Karl Connolly

Players Ratings

1. Chris Day: Didn't have a lot to do and was unlucky with the goal. 7/10

17. Terrell Forbes: Got forward well and was always trying to go on the overlap with Perry. 7/10

4. Steve Palmer: It's getting boring writing the same thing every game about Palmer but he does the same every game. He is solid and plays a captains role at the back and has been the biggest bonus of the season for us so far. 7/10

15. Christer Warren: Once again groans when his name was read out but for once an excellent performance by Warren. He stuck to his job well and despite his obvious failing did a decent job for us. 7/10

28. Aziz Ben Askar: Was on the receiving end of a very heavy tackle in the first half but recovered well and never looked in any danger. 7/10

12. Matthew Rose: Gave the ball away cheaply at times but had a fair game in midfield. 7/10

11. Marcus Bignot: Back to his best I thought with his tough tackling and closing down in midfield and never say die attitude. 7/10

10. Karl Connolly: His best game for a while. He was involved in most of our attacks and should have scored at least twice but much improved after fans were losing patience with him. 8/10

2. Mark Perry: Always tries to do things sensibly, he is a good player and when he plays like this is worth his lace in the side. 7/10

14. Leroy Griffiths: Looks an excellent player and has made the forward position his own already. 7/10

27. Andy Thomson: One chance, one goal. What more can you ask from Thommo the King. 7/10

Subs

29. Dou Dou: Provided a bit of spark up front but for gods sake pass the ball mate. 7/10