I was unable to get to this game as just like Queens Park angters I don't have enough money to get through the season. Grimsby away twice in a season was just too much for me so the match report this week is taken from the excellent rivals site at http://www.qprnet.com

QPR 0 Grimsby 1
by Simon Skinner

The only way Rangers could have picked up more injuries than they did the other night in the LDV was via a Dream Team style coach catastrophe. Olly was counting the cost of this competition and had to make a host of changes, both in personnel and positions for the game.

Day returned in goal behind a back four of Rowlands, Carlisle, Forbes and McLeod. The midfield four was Sabin, Palmer, Bean and Ainsworth, with Thorpe and Gallen up front. You are always likely to struggle with two attacking midfielders at full back, a centre half in midfield, a striker on the right wing and a right-winger on the left! The bench was as young as I can ever remember with Jake Cole and sixteen year old John Fletcher drafted in to provide much needed cover.

Grimsby tested the woodwork after only four minutes as Iffy Onoura headed against the bar when left unmarked in the area. This should have served warning that this was going to be a torrid afternoon for patched up Rangers.

Michael Boulding shot wide when well placed and former Newcastle midfielder Des Hamilton cracked a shot that Day could only hold at the second attempt. Any attacks that Rangers could manage were being quickly snuffed out although Eric Sabin was working manfully to provide an outlet on the right side.

The out of position players clearly weren't gelling and the left back area in particular was proving a fruitful one for Grimsby. Holloway changed things and moved Palmer to left back, Gallen into midfield and McLeod up front.

Macca quickly found himself booked for an incident with Tony Crane. Having been penalised for high feet McLeod found himself set upon by Crane and the Grimsby man was rightly booked. What was bizarre was that Paul Danson also booked McLeod. He had done nothing to warrant it but this was only one of a host of crazy decisions he dished out. To be fair to him though, he kept them even by giving Rangers almost everything in the first half and Grimsby almost everything in the second.

The half had passed with Rangers having failed to test keeper Aiden Davison with one single effort. Rangers had tried to hit The Mariners on the break but with Gallen now in midfield Thorpe had not managed to make one single ball stick and allow support to arrive. It seemed that the best outlet was Sabin and his pace was certainly causing Barnard problems. Sabs does not seem able to pick a final ball though for all the hard work he is currently putting in.

At the break there was yet another tactical switch as McLeod moved to the left wing and Ainsworth went up front to provide our third different strike pairing of the day. It made no difference though and Grimsby struck the bar again soon after the restart. This time a freekick was harshly awarded near the by-line just outside the box. The ball was shifted to Barnard and he cracked an effort against the underside of the bar with Day well beaten.

Things were looking a little more hopeful though for Rangers although chances were still at a premium. Ainsworth nodded a Palmer cross wide and Sabin was still running at his man and seemingly thriving on the excellent service he was getting from Gallen. The striker was again proving what an excellent player he can be in midfield and this display will no doubt bring more calls for him to move there on a permanent basis.

Rangers looked to have picked up yet another injury when Martin Rowlands left the field to be replaced by Wes Daly. Fresh from his nine-minute loan spell at Gravesend and Northfleet, Daly looked full of life and lifted the tempo of the game with some excellent tackling and a series of raking passes. He looked like the Daly you see dominating reserve games and maybe he is now ready to follow Beany and make the transition from reserve player to vital first teamer.

Michael Boulding was causing all sorts of problems with his pace and love of the theatrical and Terrell Forbes did well to deny him a clear sight of goal with a terrific chase and challenge. This though was merely delaying the inevitable and Boulding scored the winner with ten minutes left to play.

Carlisle lost out in an aerial challenge with Onoura and the ball bounced invitingly for Boulding. The ex-Villa striker turned well and fired a low shot inside Day's left hand post to give Grimsby the winner their play had deserved. Dennis Oli replaced Ainsworth in a desperate final throw of the dice but it came to nothing as Rangers found themselves out of the FA Cup, although I wouldn't think that outside the boardroom there will be too many tears being shed.

This was not a great display although the lads really worked hard to try and do something. Forbes looked solid at the back and needed to be as Carlisle was not having the best of games. In midfield Gallen and Bean linked up well and Danson harshly booked the youngster for a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge late in the game. Gallen's vision from the centre of the park is excellent and he looked very much at home in there and he was my Man of the Match.

Eric Sabin caused plenty of problems for the Grimsby defence with his fleet footedness and if he can learn to lift his head and pick that final pass then he could be very handy cover on the right hand side. Wes Daly was terrific when he came on and I really hope he can get an injury free run to prove to people just how good he can be.

We face now face midget killers Brentford on Tuesday and we will need to get a few of the injured players back in order to make a real go of it. I would not feel confident about going into the game without two proper full backs as Grimsby showed what can happen of you do.

Man of the Match: Kevin Gallen: Kev was in great form in the middle of the park today although by moving him from the centre forward position we certainly lost something in that area as well. He seems to have so much time on the ball and his range of passing was superb. I would have no problem seeing him line up against the Bees in there as I think he certainly has the ability to run a game.

simon@qprnet.com