After Saturdays game at Tranmere was called off it was back to action last night as Ian Holloway had the luxury of having Clarke Carlisle and Richard Johnson both available to play. Holloway made three changes to the team, which drew so unimpressively against Peterborough eleven days earlier.

Steve Palmer, Matthew Rose and Paul Furlong were all dropped to the bench with Rowlands, Johnson and Thorpe making the starting eleven. It was the team, which most fans have been asking for and it was time for them to deliver.

The fans were in good voice as we started the game as we meant to go on. The kick-off saw Rowlands run straight at the heart of the Vale defence as we tried to create an early opening. Carlisle ended up playing a long ball to Gallen who laid it off to Forbes and the cross found McLeod who headed at the keeper when he perhaps should have done better.

Almost immediately Port Vale hit back and stunned Loftus Road. A long ball caught Forbes out and he looked nervous of the pace from McPhee and headed out for a corner. From the corner Rangers once again showed a complete inability to deal with a cross which has been alarming to see since Dan Shittu got injured.

The corner found Steve Brooker unmarked and headed past Culkin to make it 1-0 after just 90 seconds. The silence around the ground meant that most latecomers didn’t realise we were 1-0 down and several didn’t realise until the second half.

To Rangers credit they didn’t panic and went about getting back into the game. Port Vale began time wasting almost straight away which was a dangerous game to play with 89 minutes left. Johnson and Bircham began to get a hold of midfield and some sweeping passing moves created a few chances.

Johnson and Gallen were involved in a good passing move which went from right to Kevin McLeod on the left, McLeod’s cross found Tony Thorpe in the box but his shot, although on target, didn’t have the power to beat the keeper.

It was all Rangers and we were passing the ball better than we have in weeks. A Kevin Gallen corner found Clarke Carlisle who headed just wide from close range as a goal seemed inevitable for us.

McLeod was doing well on the left and dispossessed the full back to bear down on goal but his shot lacked power and despite beating the keeper it was comfortably cleared off the line with Tony Thorpe lurking.

Martin Rowlands was next to go close after a good cross from McLeod saw his shoot straight at the keeper and it was Rowlands again going close as a ball into the middle saw slice a shot wide from eight yards out.

Despite all the chances some of the crowd were getting on the players back, which I found very disappointing, as this was a pretty good performance by the team. I felt that if we got one before half time we’d go onto win the game comfortably but credit to Port Vale who were fighting for every ball and making life difficulty for us.

They began to get back in the game as we lost our shape for a few minutes. Forbes seemed nervous of the pace in the Port Vale attack and seemed reluctant to hoof it out for throw ins and instead tried the Dan Shittu tactic of shielding the ball out for a goal kick. Sadly he’s not as god as Shittu at this and gave away several corners which caused unnecessary panic among the fans with Nick Culkin in goal.

Rangers ended the half getting back on top but couldn’t get the goal we needed and ended the half a goal down. The boos at half time were embarrassing to hear but most fans had the brains to clap the team off. This was a must win game and booing the team off after playing pretty well for 45 minutes was never going to help.

Rangers started the second half in the same way the played the first half. Passing the ball around with confidence and patience as we tried to keep the tempo high and get back into the game. Port Vale were making life very difficult taking there time over every goal kick and throw in and we struggled to create chances.

Rowlands had one effort deflected wide before we finally got level. A free kick was on the right and Gallen ran across to take it. The fans cried out for Gino to take it but he again stayed with Forbes to cover the pace of McPhee. Gallen curled the free kick in which was flicked on by Carlisle and Bircham came in at the far post to stick out a leg and the ball rolled past the keeper and was hacked away as the ball just crossed the line and the goal was given. Bircham went mad, throwing away his short to reveal his “Bircham’s 8 Chelsea” QPR shirt and the relief was evident all around the ground.

We pushed forward for a second goal but almost got caught out a ball over the top saw the Rangers defence stop and stare as Brooker ran through. Despite being slated all night by the QPR fans, Nick Culkin did brilliantly to race off his line and bravely fly in with a diving header to keep the ball out. A free kick was given for high feet and Culkin really saved the day with that alert piece of goalkeeping. He got no thanks for it though from the majority of QPR fans who for whatever reason have decided they are going to boo and abuse the Rangers number two whenever he plays. I suppose Rose wasn’t playing so we need someone else to target.

Holloway then made a bold and clever change. Paul Furlong replaced Tony Thorpe and the physical presence of Furlong caused Vale new problems, which took them a while to deal with.

Furlong was linking well with Rowlands who was looking dangerous on the right and with Forbes storming down the right and taking defenders away from Rowlands we got into some good positions to cause problems and win a few corners.

Arthur Gnohere went close from one of these corners as he headed over from close range. Holloway then made another change and it proved to be a match winning tactical change. Kevin McLeod went off with Cureton coming up front and Gallen moving to the left. A new front two partnership of Furlong and Cureton meant the Vale defence had more to worry about than before and with Rowlands and Gallen cutting in from out wide we began to find some more space.

A goal soon came as Rowlands weaved his magic on the right. He twisted and turned leaving two players left standing and starring in awe. Rowlands tired the cross but it came straight back to him and he ran across goal waiting for someone to come and finish the move off. He held the ball four yards out like Matt Dawson in the rugby world cup final teasing the opposition before throwing it back for the winning drop goal. He eventually released the ball and Cureton finished it off with a close range finish and the crowd went mental.

The Port Vale team suddenly started to rush throw ins and goal kicks after taking an age for the previous 890 minutes and chants of “Take your Time” and “Time waste and you win fuck all” rang around Loftus Road.

The Q Block then decided to sing “1-0 and you fucked it up” much to annoyance of the rest of the stadium and the same people who had booed the team off at half time were suddenly singing about winning the league. What a turnaround.

As ever with Rangers though we made it difficult for ourselves. Instead of pushing on for a third goal with Vale on the hack foot we sat back and invited them onto us, which was not a good idea.

Adrian Littlejohn was now on and after the roasting he gave Forbes at Vale Park it was a nervous last few minutes. It became a disaster as a hopeful cross saw Forbes rush back but left Littlejohn unmarked to head past Culkin for 2-2. Culkin could have done better with the header but the marking from Forbes was terrible.

The fans were stunned but the board came up to say four minutes of injury time as we kicked off so we still had a small glimmer of hope. That hope turned to chaotic scenes of joy within 30 seconds as Rangers produced a sensational finish.

Straight from the kick off we charged forward. Johnson got the ball in space and instead of a hopeful hoof into the box he looked up and sprayed a wonderful pass to Rowlands. The Rangers winger then showed his magic by beating both of his markers again and crossing for Jamie Cureton to send Loftus Road wild by smashing the ball into the roof of the net for 3-2.

Vale still had three minutes to respond and yet again we sat back and allowed them a chance. A corner on the right was well claimed by Culkin before Gnohere was booked for a foul a few yards into our own half. It was heart in mouth time as Vale threw everyone forward but we cleared the danger and the final whistle went to huge cheers.

This was a game we had to win and we thoroughly deserved the win but we made it a lot harder than we needed it to be with some poor defending at times.

Still the three points were all that mattered and a much improved performance give cause for optimism with some tough games coming up. Another home win on Saturday against Oldham is vital as we look to get on a run which can elevate us back into the automatic promotion slots.

Man of the Match: Richard Johnson

Players Ratings

13. Nick Culkin: Despite all the flack he got I thought he had a decent game.; Perhaps could command his area a bit better but didn't really do much wrong. I really don't know what people expect from a second division reserve goalkeeper. 7/10

2. Terrell Forbes: A poor game from Terrell as he seemed to panic too often on the right and give away needless corners. His passing was pretty poor but to his credit he kept getting forward to take defenders away from Rowlands and came across to get some good tackles in when Arthur and Clarke went forward. I don't know what he was doing for the second goal though. 5/10

3. Gino Padula: A pretty quiet game from Gino as he stayed back for most set pieces and didn't really play as well as he can. He did play some quality one-twos with McLeod in the first half which created a few half chances. 6/10

5. Clarke Carlisle: Another decent defensive display as he marshalled a dangerous attack well and helped urge he team forward from the back. 7/10

20. Arthur Gnohere: Looked pretty impressive with some good defending and good passing out of defence, He certainly looks comfortable on the ball and will hopefully develop a good understanding with Carlisle. 7/10

14. Martin Rowlands: A quiet game until the last twenty minutes when he burst into life and used his immense skill to set up two goals. 7/10

30. Richard Johnson: I was very impressed with Johnson on his full debut. He worked hard in midfield and choose the simple option with some good passes which is something we haven't seen much of in recent months. He did give the ball away sometimes but at least he was trying to pass it and I think he'll get better. 8/10

8. Marc Bircham: Great to see him get a goal and he had a decent game working hard and getting forward to help the front two. 7/10

22. Kevin McLeod: worked hard on the left and created a few chances in the first half before he started to fade a little bit in the second half. 6/10

9. Tony Thorpe: His movement was always a nuisance for the Vale defence but he wasn't quite at his best and it wasn't really a surprise that he went off. 6/10

10. Kevin Gallen: A quiet game from Kev as his close control wasn't as good as usual but he kept going and played a big part in this vital win. 6/10

Subs

29. Paul Furlong: Worked hard up front and caused a few problems with his strength as he created chances for Rowlands and Gallen. 6/10

28. Jamie Cureton: A sensational introduction to the first team with two goals, which won the game. This showed why Ian Holloway was so desperate to sign him up. 8/10