After a very disappointing performance on Tuesday night it was time for Rangers to put a few things right in our latest home game. It wasn’t going to be easy though and for the last two years the Kick Racism out of football day at QPR usually ends in a frustrating performance. Two years ago we drew with Oldham and Chris Day broke his leg. Last year we lost at home for the first time once again against Oldham, which started off a run where we didn’t win again for two months.

The players, fans and manager were all aware of this and their seemed to be the smell of nerves in the air before the game started with the crowd a lot quieter than they have been all season.

The roar that greeted the teams though was one of approval for the changes made by Ian Holloway. Out went Warren Barton, Steve Palmer and Marcus Bean with Richard Edghill, Gareth Ainsworth and Clarke Carlisle starting the game. Carlisle was given a standing ovation by the QPR fans as he made a welcome return after his much publicised drink problems. It was an attacking line up with Rowlands in central midfield and Ainsworth and McLeod out wide and I was looking forward to seeing what should have been a more attacking midfield.

We started the game nervously with the back four struggling against a big Tranmere attack. Long balls over the top were being dealt with better than we had on Tuesday but Carlisle and Forbes were not at their best to start with.

It took just five minutes for things to go wrong and a long ball between Padula and Carlisle saw much confusion between the two defenders and Haworth beat Padula to the ball before the defe3nce seemed to open up in front of him and allow him to pick is spot and fire into the bottom corner past Chris Day.

Loftus Road was stunned and Haworth thought it a great idea to run to the Loft and cup his ear to us. I never understand how that’s not a booking but a player celebrating with his own fans is. Surely running to opposition fans is inciting the crowd more than running to your own fans.

Anyway we need to get back in the game but Tranmere were giving us no time on the ball and the crowd were beginning to get frustrated. We slowly got ourselves going with Rowlands impressing in central midfield and one good run and exchange of passes with Gallen saw him get into the box but fire wide when he had time to pick his spot.

The crowd were getting frustrated as the defence knocked long balls forward but we had no time on the ball and Tranmere had done their homework on us well. Out wide we were struggling to create much but when we did we should have taken the lead.

Ainsworth laid it back for Edghill and he put in a perfect cross for an unmarked Tony Thorpe but Thorpe's header went wide when he should have scored. The frustration was growing in the home end but we started to play some neat stuff and Gallen was looking very sharp. He went close to giving us the lead heading Padula’s cross just over but in truth the cross was a little too high for Gallen to get any power on the header.

The pressure continued as McLeod went close and a number of corners were thrown in but at the other end some confusion between Day and Edghill almost cost us and we were lucky that Forbes was on hand to clean up the mess.

We then went agonisingly close to taking the lead as a Padula corner caused havoc. Carlisle won the header and a scramble ensued as Thorpe blasted a shot against the post. Tranmere cleared for another corner and Carlisle went close again to giving us a goal but they just managed to clear the danger hacking the ball off the line, as Thorpe was ready to pounce.

At half time a few boos greeted the whistle as the more impatient fans had clearly seen enough. Kicking towards the Loft though I fancied us to at least draw level if we continued to get the ball into Gallen’s feet.

Rangers started the second half on fire and attacked straight from the kick off. McLeod did well down the left and won a throw in. Gino threw it into Thorpe’s feet and a neat turn and pass found Gallen whose shot beat the keeper and found the bottom corner. Relief around the ground and a deserved goal for Gallen who has been getting stick on the Internet in recent weeks.

It was all QPR now and we poured forward desperate for a winner. A Rowlands free kick hit the wall and Gallen had a shot blocked at the edge of the area. We were getting closer to scoring as Thorpe got round the back of the defence but was tackled before he could shoot.

We then had a great chance as Thorpe fired a shot but the keeper made a good save and Gallen fired the rebound in but it was blocked on the line before it fell to Edghill who shot just wide. It was so frustrating but a goal looked like it was on the way as we threw everything at them.

Rowlands was continuing to impress in the middle talking on players and passing the ball very well. Bircham was doing a good job of sitting and letting Rowlands get forward but we couldn’t find the goal our play deserved.

Ainsworth gave a moment of humour as a Tranmere defender fell to the floor as if he was shot as Ainsworth pulled out of a tackle. Ainsworth ran forward then dived on the floor to show what an outrageous dive it had been and thankfully the ref saw the funny side of it as I’ve seen players booked for trying to bring some light relief to a game.

Tranmere then had a chance of their own as substitute Eugene Dadi fired in a shot from the edge of the area, which was going just wide, but Day got on a hand on it to make sure. Ollie was all set to make a change but sensibly waited until after the corner was taken but the bloke behind me decided to rant and rave about this and blamed Holloway for not making a change sooner.

We then broke from the corner and Thorpe got behind the back four again and won a corner. Thorpe met Gino’s corner but he headed just over the bar when he perhaps could have done better. That was his last touch of the ball as Sabin and Pacquette replaced him and Ainsworth.

Sabin’s pace was impressive and he won us a corner as he chased the full back and they clearly didn’t know how to deal with him

With injury time arriving we desperately looked for a winner. Rowlands cut in from the right and looked up before curling a brilliant shot but it went just wide of the far post.

We then won a corner and it was our last chance as the crowd tried to suck the ball into the net. Padula curled the corner in and Bircham tried a spectacular overhead kick which went just inches wide of the post and the game was over.

Some fans booed the team off which was very harsh but it was two points dropped from a game we needed to win.

It was a much better performance than the last two showings from Rangers and we have something to build on. Once we get Furlong back fit we should begin to turn these draws into wins again

Man of the Match: Martin Rowlands

Players Ratings

1. Chris Day: Still not quite at his best but got better as the game wore on and made a good save in the second half. 7/10

23. Richard Edghill: Got a bit of stick from an over expectant crowd but he did a decent job at right back and a vast improvement on Barton. 7/10

3. Gino Padula: Whipped in some excellent corners and after a nervous start had a good game at the back. 7/10

5. Clarke Carlisle: Got better as the game wore on after a nervous start and made one vital clearance last on to make sure we got something from the game. 7/10

2. Terrell Forbes: Worked well with Carlisle and I thought his passing was much improved in the second half. 7/10

22. Kevin McLeod: A real threat out wide but his crossing was poor but he looked a lot sharper after missing a few weeks injured. 7/10

8. Marc Bircham: Much better from Bircham, won the ball and used it well in midfield and was unlucky not to score at the end. 7/10

14. Martin Rowlands: Very impressive performance from Rowlands a she passed the ball well and supported the forward with good movement off the ball. 8/10

11. Gareth Ainsworth: Worked hard and got into some good positions but his crossing and shooting was below his high standards. 7/10

9. Tony Thorpe: Worked hard and linked well with Gallen. Unlucky not to score two of his chances and looked disappointed to come off. 7/10

10. Kevin Gallen: An excellent performance from Gallen and a deserved goal. 7/10

Subs

12. Eric Sabin. Showed good pace but didn't get much of the ball. 7/10

15. Richard Pacquette: One nice lay off but never really got a chance to nick a winner. 7/10