Injury hit Queens Park Rangers crashed out of the FA Cup today in a hard fought London derby. Rangers welcomed back Jermaine Darlington in place of Brian McGovern in an other wise unchanged team from Mondays win at Swindon Town.

The opening stages were very close with neither side getting on top. Rangers had an early chance when Kevin Gallen fired wide as Rangers began to look dangerous on the counter attack. Disaster struck though as early as 15 minutes into the game, when Kevin Gallen went off injured. Gallen was replaced by coach Iain Dowie much to the delight of the Charlton supporters.

With Dowie using his psychical presence well up front, Rangers tried to work some openings but could only manage two long range efforts from Stuart Wardley. Charlton began to create some chances but again Lee Harper was not forced into a save.

The referee then stamped his authority on the game and ruined it for the 3,000 travelling QPR supporters. One crazy decision followed another including John Robertson kicking out at Bruce but the Rangers man was penalised for being kicked off the ball. As half-time approached, QPR seemed happy to go in at 0-0 and managed to do that with some solid defending.

The second half began to see Charlton get well on top. Chris Powell was finding lots of space on the left and chances were beginning to appear. Lee Harper almost dropped a clanger when he dallied for too long from Plummer's back pass, and as MacDonald bore down on the R's keeper, Harper was relieved to see his clearance bounce off the young striker, and sail harmlessly wide.

Following that let off, Plummer got himself booked in an incident the linesman never flagged for or referee blew for but a yellow card was issued on the crowds reaction much like Kiwomyas sending off a few weeks ago. Rangers were living dangerously though but almost grabbed a goal when Dowies flick found Langley in space but the referee blew for a foul.

Stuart Wardley then went close with a dipping volley which went just over the bar. Ten minutes later, the defender was penalised for holding back Hunt in the box, and after pointing to the spot, referee, Rob Styles, showed Plummer his second yellow card, and ended his afternoon with the red. From the spot, former Chelsea man Graham Stuart stepped up and fired his penalty hide over the bar.

Two minutes later Rangers went behind. A break down the right by Shaun Newton saw his cross turned in by youngster Macdonald. Charlton then had several chances to kill the game off but failed as Rangers dug deep to stay in the game. During this spell, the referee made sure QPR fans went home unhappy with several amazing decisions not seen since the away match at Fulham. That is not surprise really as its the same bloke.

Rangers were denied a late penalty when the Charlton defender handled in the box but the referee didn’t see it. As the game wore on, Rangers lost Jermaine Darlington through injury and Paul Murray also came off. Tony Scully and Keith Rowland both came on to zero effect. Rob Steiner had a header fly well wide as Rangers bowed out of the FA Cup in the first week of January.

Once again a bizarre referring display has cost Rangers but in reality, QPR could have played all night and not scored and a replay was the best we could have got and was what we deserved over the 90 minutes,

Man of the Match : Richard Langley

13. Lee Harper : Made some excellent saves in the second half. 8/10

22. Jermaine Darlington : Not his usual self, made some nice runs and went off injured. 6/10

30 Paul Bruce : Put some great crosses in during the first half but was very quiet in the second half. 6/10

17. Chris Plummer : Again did little wrong, just got the ball clear rather than playing the ball out. Very Unlucky to be sent off 7/10

3. Ian Baraclough: Another good game at the back, he has been one of our best players in recent weeks. 7/10

32. Darren Ward : Very Solid and would be a brilliant signing if Watford let him go 8/10

27. Stuart Wardley : very poor, needs to impose himself more in games but you can't argue with his goals record. 6/10

7. Paul Murray : Played very well in midfield but was switched to the wing as Charlton began to cause us problems. 7/10

21. Richard Langley : Looked very good and our most creative player by far. 9/10

9. Rob Steiner : Very poor. Almost invisible in the second half. 3/10

10. Kevin Gallen : Not on long but looked good when he was on the pitch. 6/10