After a dreadful couple of weeks both performance and results wise it was a chance for Gary Waddock to turn his hand to youth for the visit of Derby County. With both sides pretty much safe from relegation it was a new look side for both teams. Gary Waddock handed Marcin Kus a home debut whilst in a new look five man midfield there were starts for Stefan Bailey, Richard Langley and playing just behind the lone striker was Scott Donnelly in a position he had impressed in during a midweek reserve game.

It was good to see some of the kids get a chance and would at least enable Gary Waddock to learn a thing or two about the kids rather than see the usual first team players plodding around in midfield.

The new system didn't really work early on though as Nygaard failed to hold the ball up leaving moves breaking down quickly before the midfield could get forward to support the lone striker. Mauro Milanese continued his excellent recent form by continuously bombing down the left like a 20 year old winger but frustratingly found very little support from Lee Cook who appeared to be want to play up front rather than stay out wide.

Cook did have our two best chances early on, the first came after a lovely passing move involving Langley, Donnelly and Bailey and ended with Cook firing a near post shot which Lee Camp did well to save. Camp had a decent game for Derby and got an excellent reception from the QPR fans.

Gareth Ainsworth had a good chance to grab the lead after another decent passing move but he got his boot caught in the turf and ended up shooting wide. I don't know if something is up with the pitch but it was frustrating to see us continuing to fall over. Bailey and Evatt ended up on their arses as Tommy Smith went on a good run but his shot was weak and didn't trouble Jones.

One excellent move should have seen us go in front as again Milanese was involved and produced a lovely low cross but Nygaard couldn't convert from close range. Football wise we were playing a lot better but the game itself was a bit of a bore during the first half with neither side really showing the urgency you'd get if the points actually mattered.

Scott Donnelly was struggling in his new position and ended up swapping positions with Ainsworth where the youngster looked a little more promising and fired one shot just over the bar.

Gareth Ainsworth was having a quiet game but almost scored a goal of the season contender as he let the ball drop 40 yards out and volleyed past Camp and just past the post, it was reminiscent of his goal against Rushden and Diamonds a few years back but this time he was just a few inches off target.

At half time it was a satisfying performance but the game hadn't really come to life. The second half certainly started better as Dan Shittu went on a run from his own half, played a one-two with Nygaard and then smashed a shot on target. As the crowd held the breath to witness toe goal of the season instead Shittu's shot was comfortably saved by Camp but at least had the crowd up and excited for a few seconds.

The second half proved to be a more enjoyable spectacle than the first. Scott Donnelly began to get on the ball and made one nice run beating three players but his pass to Nygaard saw the big Dane show no effort to move a yard and get into it. Nygaard's performance really was poor and I wasn't in alone in screaming for him to be taken off. As ever with Nygaard though he's always a goal threat and a few minutes later he opened the scoring.

It came after Scott Donnelly was replaced by Furlong which brought more than a few boos from the QPR fans as Donnelly received a standing ovation. It was a little harsh on Waddock though as Donnelly hadn't been at his best and the change quickly worked.

Furlong added a bit of steel up front and we were able to play off him. Cook was suddenly in the game as was Langley but it was Cook who got out wide and crossed for Nygaard to head home from close range and give us the lead.

We should have gone on to win this game at this point but Derby made two changes, which changed the game. Idiakez and Peschisolido came on and the formers brilliant passing combined with Peschisolido looking to turn and get in behind Evatt instantly caused us problems. Evatt began to look unsettled and we were on the back foot.

They grabbed a deserved equaliser through Tommy Smith who turned well in the box and fired a shot past Jones into the bottom corner. Derby's away support, which was impressive for such a nothing game, were rewarded for their non-stop singing and now sensed a win.

Idiakez was pulling the string in midfield and we looked shaky but we soon began to get back in the game as Bailey began to win the ball and freed up Langley to get forward where he began to get into the game.

Dan Shittu saw a long-range free kick fizz just wide whilst Paul Furlong was well placed to finish off and his effort was pushed wide by Lee Camp.

We whipped in a number of corners via Langley and Cook but none of them really troubled the visitors.

As the game came to an end Rangers created the better chances to win the game as Cook curled in a lovely cross for Furlong but last season top scorer again struggled in front of goal and shot wide of the post when it seemed easier to score.

Just before all that Derby's Darren Moore was sent off for a second booking. To be fair he should have gone for the first booking when he raised his hands and caught Nygaard, and offence Gallen was sent off for a few weeks back. His second yellow came after a foul on Cook which in all honesty didn't really warrant a booking but unfortunately referees are not allowed to use common sense anymore so I guess he didn't have much choice.

During injury time we made two quick breaks down the right with Ainsworth sprinting clear but both times his final ball was poor and in the end we had to settle for a point. At the end of the game the announcement that this point guarantees Championship football next season was slightly embarrassing and I'm not sure what sort of reaction the club were expecting from making such a proud announcement considering we were promised a crack at the playoffs this season and have ended up a complete shambles both on and off the pitch.

After some of the recent crap on offer this was a much improved performance. It still wasn't brilliant but it was good to see some of the squad players get a game.

Marcin Kus looked solid and decent on the ball and with a bit of work in pre season could be a player to look out for next season. The improvement in Milanese has been a joy to watch in recent weeks and hew as again excellent. Milanese didn't ever seem comfortable to me under Ian Holloway but the change in manager has certainly worked for Mauro and he looks like a quality player at the moment. The same can't be said for Ian Evatt who has been given an extended run in the side by Waddock but still looks very shaky and his performances are putting too much pressure on Shittu who having to do a little too much in my opinion.

The midfield was far more pleasing this wee though. Our wide Ainsworth and Cook were poor but in the middle Stefan Bailey was excellent winning the ball, using it well and showing some good vision to create one or two openings. He could go on to be a good player for us. Langley was as frustrating as ever but continued to try and keep possession and if he ever plays in a QPR side that moves off the ball he might be able to pick someone out rather than looking at ten statues when he gets it and then getting caught in possession whilst the crowd moans at him.

Scott Donnelly didn't have the bets of games but will have learnt from this performance and he showed glimpses of what he can do in the second half. Gary Waddock deserves a little bit of praise for using this game to give the young players a chance and that will hopefully help us next season.

Up front Nygaard was as woeful as ever but still managed to score, if he could work on his all round game over the summer he'd be a valuable player to have but he is so frustrating to watch as he rarely uses his obvious attributes.

Rangers now travel to Norwich for what looks like a banker home win on Monday. I expect Gary Waddock will recall a few of the experienced guys such as Gallen and Lomas but I'd like to see Bailey get another chance as he's looked decent during is first team showings both this season and last.

Man of the Match: Stefan Bailey

Players Ratings: Jones 6, Kus 7, Milanese 7, Evatt 6, Shittu 7, Ainsworth 6, Bailey 8, Langley 7, Cook 6, Donnelly 6 (Furlong 7), Nygaard 5