After last weeks defeat at Crewe it was vital that Rangers bounced back in this tough match against Blackpool. Steve McMahon's team have had a good start to the season and Rangers knew this would be a tough game. It was made slightly tougher as the omens began to work against us.

Sky TV were in town to show the match live and Radio 5 live were launching a brand new kind of coverage at this game. Knowing Rangers this would be a game where we can show the rest of the country how far we have come in the last 18 months yet we would probably let ourselves down.

Lets face it live games and QPR wins don't really go together. QPR haven't won a live television game since December 1998 when we beat Bradford 1-0 in an easily forgettable match.

Ian Holloway made two changes to the team as Jerome Thomas returned from injury in place of Karl Connolly and Simon Royce was back on loan and in goal as Fraser Digby missed out.

Clarke Carlisle had the chance to play against his old club for the first time and it was his birthday to make the night even more special for him. Danny Shittu was also up against the side where he spent a loan spell and helped the Seasiders to promotion.

The game started with Blackpool having a great chance to take the lead. John Hills broke into the box and his shot beat Royce but went narrowly wide of the post. It was an early scare for Rangers and we reacted well to it.

Carlisle, Forbes, Shittu and Palmer settled down quickly and we looked solid at the back whilst Williams and Jerome Thomas began to get on the ball and cause problems for Blackpool. We weren't playing great but we looked good on the ball and we were playing some good patient stuff.

Jerome Thomas had our only early chance hitting a shot, which the keeper saved. Both sides were trying to play passing football but a buzz went around the stadium as we got a free kick outside the box. Richard Langley has been brilliant at these recently but he couldn't hit the target with his first effort.

Clarke Carlisle almost made it a dream birthday when he met Williams corner but his header was cleared off the line.

Blackpool built another attack but Terrell Forbes covered across on the left brilliantly before dribbling past a forward and playing a majestic pass to Langley who was at least 40 yards away from him Richard Langley cut inside and his a superb shot into the bottom corner of the net giving the keeper no chance.

Credit to Jerome Thomas and Kevin Gallen for taking defenders away with good movement but the finish from Langley was top class. Rangers had the lead and we were on top.

We never really took control of the game as we know we can do but credit t Blackpool for some excellent defending. They made it very difficult for us but we kept the ball well and had chances to take a two goal lead before half time.

Langley went close again with a free kick and Danny Shittu met a corner with a strong and well placed header but it was again cleared off the line. Gallen went close with one shot after good work by Jerome Thomas and a quick break saw Gallen cross for Furlong by Clarke intercepted just in time to clear for a corner.

So at half time Rangers were a goal up but the game was not won yet. Blackpool began to get back in the game but never really looked like scoring. Furlong had a good chance for Rangers after good work by Matthew Rose on the right but Clarke again did well to clear the danger.

Blackpool got level after an hour after a good break away. Rangers were caught cold and we couldn't get enough men back as Blackpool's slick passing cut us open and Scott Taylor beat Royce with a wonderful finish as the Blackpool fans erupted with delight.

Rangers reacted in the best way possible by stepping up a gear and going all out for another goal. Jerome Thomas showed all the brilliance we know he has with a wonderful run into the box. He beat two men before beating a third but he couldn't get his shot away and as he tried to go past the keeper he was stopped as Barnes grabbed the ball from his feet.

The crowd were on their feet and before long we had that lead again. Forbes put the ball in for Gallen but Clarke read it well passing back to the keeper but the keeper made a complete hash of it swinging his leg at it as the ball went into the net. It was now the Rangers fans turn to celebrate as we regained the lead we shouldn't have thrown away in the first place.

After that Rangers made sure the same mistakes didn't happen again. We defended well and tried to keep the ball when we had it. Gallen went close again with a good run and shot which brought an equally good save from the keeper.

A succession of corners brought no joy for Rangers but as the clock ticked away it seemed unlikely that Blackpool would get back into the game. They had a few corners but Royce never looked in any big trouble.

Ian Holloway made some changes as Jerome Thomas began to tire Karl Connolly came on. Matthew Rose was also struggling having been ill all week and Andy Thomson replaced him as Gallen moved onto the right wing in a 4-4-2 formation. Thomson had an immediate impact running at the Blackpool defence before being fouled.

Williams had a go this time but his shot hit the wall. Furlong was next to go off as Dennis Oli went on the right wing and Gallen back up front and we did enough to see the game out for a vital win.

The Sky jinx has been ended but more importantly we have won against a team who will be in the top 8 at the end of the season and we remain in touch with the leading pack in division two. We can play better and we'll have to if we want promotion but another home win for Rangers made sure we all went home very happy indeed.

Man of the Match: Terrell Forbes

15. Simon Royce: Didn't have much to do but he installs confidence in his defence and it is great to see him back. 7/10

2. Terrell Forbes: I thought Forbes was outstanding last night. He did brilliantly for the first goal, his defending was first class and his distribution was also brilliant. He did brilliantly for the first goal and had a hand in the second. After a poor game last week he bounced back and showed what a brilliant player he is. 9/10

33. Tommy Williams: Another decent game from Williams. He can play better than this and struggled a few times defensively but didn't do much wrong. 7/10

4. Steve Palmer: Did his job excellently again both in defence and in midfield where he ended the game. A couple of brilliant tackles and interceptions which made the game seem more comfortable that is could have been. 8/10

5. Clarke Carlisle: Superman himself was excellent. Not as brilliant as in his last few appearances but he must have been nervous as this was a big game for him and he only passed a fitness test over the weekend. Well I say not as brilliant but he is still the best defender in the division. 7/10

6. Danny Shittu: Blamed by some for the goal but I didn't think he did much wrong. His distribution is usually hit and hope but he looked much better now Clarke was back in the team. 7/10

9. Richard Langley: A brilliant goal and a good performance in midfield. He an play better than this but seemed to have to play much deeper than usual with Jerome Thomas getting forward all the time.

7. Matthew Rose: His first touch let him down quite often and he also gave the ball away to put us in trouble. He is playing miles better than earlier in the season and did well on the right wing as he worked hard in the second half. 6/10

32. Jerome Thomas: Almost scored a brilliant goal and showed glimpses of the quality he has. He didn't look 100% fit though but his return is a big boost and the best is still to come from Jerome Thomas. 7/10

10. Kevin Gallen: Worked intelligently up front passing the ball and working hard. He almost grabbed a goal after making the chance himself and his excellent team performances so far this season have been continued. 8/10

29. Paul Furlong: Not his best game but he looked a few yards of the pace of the game. Hopefully this is due to his recent injury and he can be back to his early season form sooner rather than later. 6/10

27. Andy Thomson: Looked desperate to impress. 7/10

20. Dennis Oli: Worked hard in the final few minutes 7/10

11. Karl Connolly: One awful attempt at a cross but he added a fresh pair of legs when we needed it. 7/10