Rangers continued their unbeaten home record with a poor performance against struggling Walsall. Francis was forced into changes as Karl Ready and Danny Maddix both picked up knocks at Palace and Steve Morrow and Tim Breacker were brought in to form a makeshift defence.

Gavin Peacock also returned for his first start since mid October. The game started slowly in very cold conditions for the supporters. The Q Block unveiled their new flag and did the majority of the singing but the atmosphere was almost non existent. The football on the pitch was hardly inspiring as QPR made England look good with their passing but still looked the most likely to score with Gavin Peacock breaking well from midfied and Richard Langley making some nice through balls for the forwards.

Chances were few and far between early on with a few long-range efforts from Walsall and the very lively Michael Ricketts looking dangerous. It was Rangers who took the lead though to calm the nerves of the supporters. It followed a nice passing move, which sent Wardley though in loads of space, and he buried his shot into the bottom corner of the net.

A Walsall player went down after the goal and play was delayed for a few minutes but Walsall will have wished it was a bit longer as Rangers went for the jugular.

Rangers attacked down the right hand side and a cross came in from Breacker I think. Kiwomya rose well and headed into the bottom corner for what should have been game, set and match. Rangers should have gone on to win comfortably but seemed to try their best to make a game of it.

As half time approached a ball over the top should have been controlled by Morrow and passed back to Harper. Instead Steve Morrow collapsed on the floor and Ricketts capitalised and took his goal well. It would be easy to blame Morrow but I just couldn't help laughing as it looked very funny and I still fancied us to go and get more goals.

Rangers almost got a third on half time. Peacock's shot seemed to hit the bar and just before Kiwomya could touch home the rebound, James Walker produced a brilliant reflex clearance or did Kiwomya put it wide. I would go with a great save with the keeper but those closer to the action may know better.

Walsall then almost equalised when Man of the Match Ricketts, produced a brilliant curling effort just over the bar for what would have been the goal of the game. During half time, the talk was that if rangers got a 3rd we would go on to win easily but my comment was we would sit back and hang on for loads of nervous moments and just hang on. I hate being right.

Walsall began the second half on top, with Ricketts again causing problems with his pace and another long range effort almost beat Harper. The defence began to defend like clowns, falling over at vital moments and Ricketts went close again after a good run and shot. Luckily for Rangers, Ricketts got hurt and was carried off with a head injury. Was it only me, or should Gerry have put a contract in his hand while he was on the stretcher as this lad looked promising.

The highlight of the second half came when the police seemed to be arresting someone in Ellerslie Road. The chants of "Old Mcdonald had a farm, and on that farm he had a pig" were very funny. Langley set off on a good run but no team mates followed him, he turned and looked for a team mate but this was greeted with boos and abuse as Breacker gave the ball away. Why Langley was blamed for this was beyond me. Langley then made one or two more mistakes, (Including being given a hospital ball by Baraclough and winning a free kick but was shouted at for not being caught in possession) and the crowd got on his back.Francis reacted to this and replaced him with Rowland who was his usual productive self!! R

angers were creating chances on the break, Wardley had a header well saved but good positions on the right were often wasted by poor crosses from Breacker. Ross Weare was then brought on for his debut. He replaced Kiwomya who can play better but did not look 100% fit today. Weare looks like Sir Les and his first touch was just like the great man. He picked up the ball on the halfway line, turned and ran at the defence, which seemed to scare the life out of Walsall. He played a one two with Steiner but the move broke down. It was very exiting to watch and a buzz filled the ground every time he got the ball.

Steiner wasted a great chance after a good run, his shot went harmlessly wide. The referee somehow found 5 minutes of injury time and a few corners produced panic but Rangers hung on for a good result after a poor performance.

Man of the Match: Rob Steiner: Not too many players stood out today and this wasn't Rob's best game but he did look a threat.

Player by Player

13. Lee Harper - didn't have many saves to make and took some corners very well. 6/10

22. Jermaine Darlington - Showed some nice touches but looked less productive than usual today. 6/10

3. Ian Baraclough - Looked comftable but can play better 6/10

4. Steve Morrow - Started well but after his mistake foe the goal he seemed to lose his way a bit. 6/10

12.Matthew Rose - Not his best game, good in parts but can play better 6/10

2. Tim Breacker - Pretty poor, got in some good positions but did not produce enough quality crosses. 5/10

21. Richard Langley - Produced some lovely passes and did some clever things. Sadly, every mistake was greeted with moans and groans from the crowd and it seemed to effect him. 6/10

27. Stuart Wardley - Another goal for Stuart wil gloss over a very poor display but he always gives his best. 6/10

8. Gavin Peacock - Back from injury and worked very hard and encouraged those around him but did not play as well as he can. 6/10

11. Chris Kiwomya - Didn't look fit to me, his movement was poor compared to his recent displays. Got another goal which wil help his confidence. 6/10

9. Rob Steiner - Always looked dangerous but can play better and should have scored today. 7/10