Ainsworth elected not to pick himself for one last run out against his old club. Instead he brought in Delaney for the injured Stewart whilst Ramage replaced Miller and Ephraim and Vine came in for Cook and Helguson. The game may have had an end of season feel for Rangers but Preston had it all to play knowing a win could put them in the top six. Rangers were in a new away kit with a return to the Dennis the menace red and black hoops. We won't be the only side in West London in hoops next year as Chelsea has decided to have hoops on their third kit which is enough to make you feel sick. Rangers gifted the home side a goal midway through the first half after a mix up between Gorkks and Cerny. The Rangers keeper threw it out to Gorkss who miss controlled it allowing John Parkin to nip in and take the ball past Cerny and roll into the net. A poor goal from our point of view and left us with a mountain to climb if we were going to get anything from the game.
Preston pushed forward for a second goal but we stood firm going in just a goal down at half time before a far better second half performance. Vine and Agyemang began to combine and we created chances to equalise. Rangers finally got back into the match with a blast from the past. Vine got the ball and rolled it through the defence to Agyemang who spun away from his man and used his pace to burst clear before finishing well past the keeper. It was very similar to the goals he scored for QPR when he first joined and gives hope that the Vine/Agyemang partnership may bring more success next season. It was very close now but Preston forced a winner late on which would ultimately earn them a playoff place of goals scored. A ball into the box was not dealt with the QPR defence as Cerny flapped at it and the ball broke loose to St. Ledger to tap home from close range. The Preston fans went wild and could sense the playoffs were in sight. To Rangers credit we pushed for an equaliser and almost got one when a last minuet corner was met by Connolly and his header was cleared off the line for the final action of the game and the season for QPR. It wasn't the worst performance we've given this season and Rangers did at least have a go at winning the game but just as with the season as a whole we fell a little short of the quality needed to get the required result. Man of the Match: Hogan Ephraim |
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