For once a trip to Grimsby was made on a Saturday rather than a Tuesday night so the away following was larger than normal for this fixture. Due to the high train prices I was again on the Supporters club coach and during a service station stop I saw that bird from Coronation Street who is having it away with Martin Platt in the queue for a KFC. After a few hours we arrived in Cleethorpes at about half one just in time for the second half of the Arsenal game.

We had a few drinks in the Leaking Boot Hotel before the game whilst watching a superb Robert Pires goal to keep crisis club Arsenal unbeaten in the Premiership.

The Leaking Boot has to be the only pub I've ever been in which not only has a condom machine in the gents but also a vibrator machine where for 5 Ł1 coins you get a nice vibrator with batteries included.

After walking past several fish and chip shops packed with QPR fans we got into the Stadium at around half two with enough time for another beer before the game started. As we got to our seats the Grimsby Mascot came over to entertain us. The Grimsby mascot’s idea of entertaining the kids was by humping the goalposts and waving his arse at us before pole dancing with the other goal post. Very strange behaviour leaving the adults amused and the kids looking bewildered.

The teams came out to a huge roar with around 1,200 in the QPR end singing our hearts out and as expected the team had one change. Arthur Gnohere was suspended so Paul Furlong returned from his suspension but several players had to switch positions. Martin Rowlands switched to right back with Kevin Gallen taking the role on the left wing. Terrell Forbes moved into central defence whilst Paul Furlong returned up front alongside Tony Thorpe.

Rangers started attacking towards the Grimsby fans and looked the brighter side from the start. Rowlands and Forbes looked a little jittery early on having switched a new position for the third game running but they soon settled, as Rangers looked a real threat going forward.

Gallen was drifting infield from the left wing and that extra mad in the middle was confusing Grimsby and giving other players more space to play in. Furlong and Thorpe were linking well with Gallen whilst Ainsworth was given more space than usual on the right and we spent most of the opening period in their half.

They were playing the offside trap well though and several balls through to Thorpe and Furlong saw the strikers get through on goal but were denied by the linesmen’s flag.

Our first effort on goal came from Kevin Gallen. The Grimsby keeper Davidson flapped at a cross and with the keeper off his line Gallen tried a lob but it ended up going straight at the keeper.

Gallen looked full of confidence and was desperate to add to his midweek goal. He cut in from the left and fired a shot just wide before almost giving us the lead. From the left he fired in a low shot, which arrived at the feet of Furlong to tap it in, but Furlong misjudged it and the ball seemed to just hit him and roll straight at the keeper.

We were on top and winning several corners and free kicks around the box but the delivery wasn’t great from both Padula and Gallen.

Tony Thorpe was next to test the keeper having broken the offside trap he volleyed straight at Davidson when he really should have done better.

Grimsby then seemed to wake up and attacked us. A free kick was won on the edge of the box before a very bizarre booking. Thorpe stood behind the guy taking the kick and tried to line up the wall, as the Grimsby players got ready to take it. Thorpe was booked for not going back ten yards but the Grimsby players were not even ready to take the kick anyway. Thorpe argued and could have talked himself into an early bath with his ref so Gallen pulled him away and into the wall and lined it up himself.

When the kick was finally taken it beat Day but Palmer had done well to defend deep and cleared it off the line.

We were defending well but at set pieces the height of the Grimsby team caused problems. A free kick on the left found giant defender Tony Crane to head goalwards but Day reacted brilliantly to keep his effort out and keep the scores level as the half time whistle went.

It had been a good effort from Rangers. Grimsby had gone closest to scoring but we had dominated most of the half in tough windy conditions and I was hopeful that we’d win it in the second half.

Rangers attacked towards our fans in the second half and we began the half full of confidence looking to win the game.

The fans were right behind the team with a prolonged Holloway’s blue and white army chant followed by a rendition of Kevin Gallen’s magic. The team responded and Bircham picked up a pass from Gallen to curl a brilliant shot towards the top corner but it swerved just wide of the post.

The chances kept coming and a good run by Ainsworth saw him brought down and a free kick in dangerous territory. Furlong and Rowlands both likes the look of this one and stood over it but it was Rowlands chance to hit one. The keeper excellently saved his curled effort but the rebound fell to Thorpe just six yards out. We all screamed goal but Thorpe’s shot was tipped onto the bar and over by the impressive Davidson in the Grimsby goal. The referee though decided it was a goal kick much to the players and fans bemusement in what was becoming a frustrating game with the three officials making one barmy decision after the other.

At this stage we looked like the only team who would win this game but Grimsby to their credit fought back and had a 20 minute spell, which should have won them the game. Bernard got on the ball more and they got at Rowlands who began to struggle at right back in the windy conditions.

The two centre backs and central midfield players began to earn their money fighting for every ball and were coming under some real pressure from the home side.

Danger man Boulding got clear of the defence and went round Day as the keeper dived at his feet. It looked a certain goal but Forbes did well to block his shot and clear the danger. A series of corners followed but Day was equal to all of them with some safe goalkeeping before tipping a Iffy Onoura shot wide when the striker was given too much space in the area.

It was non stop pressure so Holloway made a sensible tactical switch. Tony Thorpe was taken off and Warren Barton came on for his debut. It was great to see the name Barton on the back of a QPR shirt and as I dreamed of the headline “Barton wins it for Rangers” I also feared ”Barton Cock Up costs QPR vital points” so the remaining 20 odd minutes were rather nerve racking.

Rowlands now switched to the left wing with Gallen going up front. Gallens hold up play was probably more suited to these conditions so a good move by Holloway.

The pressure continued though and despite another experienced head in defence Grimsby continued to create chances. Boulding again caused problems beating the defence and firing in a quality shit but Day once again denied him with a fabulous save.

The introduction of Barton though steadied the ship and with Rowlands in midfield we had better balance and began to settle down again and deny them many chances. Bircham seemed to be suffering though as he twice needed treatment which seemed to upset the home fans. Wes Daly stripped off to replace him at one point but Bircham was ok to continue.

Rangers made another change brining on Eric Sabin for Gareth Ainsworth with the hope that Sabin’s pace may cause a problem or two. With the wind picking up as the game wore on the accuracy of balls towards him was way off so he never really got a chance to shine.

With the last few minutes approaching most of us were happy with a point at a ground we’ve never won at before a long kick by Day flew over the defence and Furlong ran onto it. Before the ball came down to the striker he was rugby tackled in the penalty area for a blatant penalty. Somehow though neither the referee or linesmen saw it and nothing was given.