Games against Bristol City are always entertaining affairs. Ian Holloway’s links with Bristol Rovers always add an extra edge to the fixture and since we’ve been in division two both clubs have usually been close to each other in the promotion race.

We went into this game without Dan Shittu so Ian Holloway was forced into one change. Arthur Gnohere returned to the back four alongside Forbes. Tony Thorpe and Richard Pacquette both missed out on a place on the bench. Thorpe is ill with a virus whilst Pacquette has a groin injury and was ruled out on the morning of the game.

Steve Palmer was again on the bench so Kevin Gallen led the two teams out. Thankfully we attacked the School End in the first half this week, which always makes for a better atmosphere in the second half.

We started brightly but took a while to settle at the back with the back four playing together for the first time this season. Christian Roberts almost took advantage shooting wide when left in space on the edge of the box.

The atmosphere inside the ground was pretty subdued and it took a while to get the atmosphere going which was surprising considering how big this game was. McLeod got the crowd on it’s feet as he intercepted a pass on the half way line and surged forward. McLeod got down the line and played the ball into Gallen who had his back to goal. Gallen tried to turn and shoot but couldn’t get the ball past the defender who blocked his effort.

The game was very stop start though with the referee blowing for even the slightest touch on a player. Rowlands found himself in the book for a tackle on the right wing, which was a foul but was hardly worth a booking. The ref was obviously trying to fill his booking quota for the week and he added two Bristol City names to after when a warning would have done.

The second City booking came after Edghill was brought down on the edge of the box and we had our first chance from a set piece.

Rowlands and McLeod stood over it and it was Rowlands who curled it over the wall towards the top corner. The keeper was beaten but the ball came off the bar and bounced away much to the despair of the Rangers forwards.

We were winning several free kicks around the box and were so close to scoring from one of them. Rowlands again whipped one in from the right and this time it found Gallen but the striker slipped as he went to take his shot and fired his effort over the bar.

Padula was next to have a go from a free kick. His dangerous cross found Furlong and our leading goalscorer met the ball with a powerful header but Phillips in the Bristol Goal made a goods save and tipped it over.

City almost grabbed the lead on the break. A ball into the box found Miller who met the ball with a firm header, which was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Chris Day.

Furlong then had a go from a free kick on the edge of the box, It looked to me that Rowlands should have taken it as a chip over the wall into the bottom left hand corner was crying out to be taken as the keeper left a massive gap on that side. Instead Furlong smashed it against the bar and another chance had gone.

McLeod was causing all sorts of problems on the left beating his man time and time again but the final ball was disappointing and the two central midfield players weren’t supporting the front two to add extra bodies in the box.

As the half came to an end Richard Edghill was called upon to make a great tackle. Brown went through on the left and Edghill did brilliantly to hook the ball away from him but as he did that he went down in agony with a suspected torn thigh muscle.

Gareth Ainsworth replaced him with Rowlands going back to right back. It was a surprise move by Holloway but pleasing to see him bring on another attacking player rather than bring on Palmer and move Forbes back to right back. So we were level at half time but we were confident of winning the game with the number of chances we were creating.

We started the second half on top and a good run and cross by Ainsworth found Gallen but his header was well saved by the keeper.

Holloway’s problems continued as McLeod went down in the box holding his leg. He limped off and was replaced by Steve Palmer to the groans of the crowd. Bean went onto the wing with Ainsworth going to the left.

Ollie didn’t have many options to be honest. I wouldn’t bring Sabin on after his performance at Wrexham and although Oli can go on the right giving us balance I think Holloway wanted a bit of experience in such a tight game. The change seemed to affect us and we didn’t have the same threat from out wide.

Holloway switched it again putting Gallen on the left and Ainsworth up front but it made little difference and the lack of pace out wide was meaning we had to play through the middle more and found it difficult to break Bristol City down. A long range Steve Palmer shot was all we had to show for our efforts although we continued to look pretty solid at the back.

The game exploded into life with 18 minutes left. Another free kick was won for Rangers right on the touchline. Padula took it and as the big men came forward to get on the end of it Padula curled it directly into the top corner of the net. The crowd went mad and Gino ran off to a dance and was mobbed by his team mates. Lots of badge kissing followed from Gino as Pig Bag was sung around the stadium.

The Rangers fans sung You’re not singing anymore and then it all went wrong. The players seemed to switch off and after Palmer was beaten in the air the defence stood and watched as Miller ran from deep and was unmarked. Miller smashed his shot into the back of the net despite Day getting a hand on it. The first goal conceded at Loftus Road since March and Ian Holloway will be furious with the teams lack of concentration.

Gallen looked furious with Gino and Bircham and had plenty to say to them and we looked all over the pace for the next few minutes. A cross from the left saw Day need to make a good save from a close range effort.

The ref then got to show a red card just a few minutes after the goals had gone in. Miller raced through and tripped Bircham as he ran onto a though ball.It was a clear foul and a second tallow card was shown to him and he was off for an early bath. Without the benefit of seeing it on tv I have to say it looked a little harsh.

So 15 minutes against ten men but we continued to struggle as City went for a winner Luke Wiltshire curled a free kick which scrapped against the top of the bar with Chris Day beaten.

Holloway responded with another change as Dennis Oli replaced Marcus Bean on the right wing. We threw everything at them but just couldn’t break them down.

Our big chance came in the last minute. Gallen did well after roaming inside and flicked the ball on for Furlong who was totally unmarked at the far post. I would have put all my money on his scoring but his volley was well stopped and the rebound again fell to Furlong but his header was again scrambled clear and all we had to show for it was a corner.

The final whistle went and a draw was a disappointing result after all the chances we had created. We can play better than this and the injuries really disrupted us but going 1-0 up with 20 minutes left we really should have shut up shop and made sure we held onto what we had.

Still it’s another point and more lessons learnt but Tuesday’s game with Barnsley looks a tough one where we will be without Edghill, Shittu, Furlong and McLeod through injury and suspension.

Man of the Match: Gino Padula

Players Ratings

1. Chris Day: Once again saved us with several excellent saves and was unlucky not to keep the goal out. 7/10

23. Richard Edghill: Defended well and supported Rowlands going forward. Very disappointing to see him get what looked like a bad injury. 7/10

3. Gino Padula: His delivery from set pieces were excellent and he scored a superb goal. 8/10

24. Arthur Gnohere: Defended well but does have moments where he tends to fall asleep and make silly mistakes. 7/10

2. Terrell Forbes: Another good display in his new/old position. Goes about his defensive duties well but still allows the ball to bounce once to often which can see him get caught out and put under unnecessary pressure. 7/10

8. Marc Bircham: A good performance from Bircham who worked hard and won tackles all afternoon. 7/10

17. Marcus Bean: Did well in the middle producing some excellent tackles and passes but went quiet when switched to the wing. 7/10

14. Martin Rowlands: So unlucky not to score with some excellent free kicks and when he went to right back he made one excellent interception to keep the scores level. 7/10

22. Kevin McLeod: Caused several problems down the left beating is man and getting crosses in. His departure after injury left us short of attaching options. 7/10

10. Kevin Gallen: Not at his best but didn't get many chances up front. Once again he needed to move to another position during the game to help the team out which can't be helping his own form. 7/10

29. Paul Furlong: Not at his best but still posed problems and was unlucky not to score. 7/10

Subs:

11. Gareth Ainsworth: Worked hard but didn't look like the threat he can be. 6/10

4. Steve Palmer: Second to most things when he came on but gave it his all which is all you can ask of the players. 5/10

18. Dennis Oi: Tried hard down the right but didn't see a lot of the ball. 6/10