Football: STOCK HORROR

QPR turned on the style for 45 minutes of this game but their 1-0 half-time lead was not enough to see them through to the end as Stockport hit back to grab a draw.

Rangers remain unbeaten at home in the league this season but this really was two points dropped as they missed out on the chance to pile the pressure on leaders Plymouth before they go there next Saturday.

QPR midfielder Martin Rowlands was the star of this game as he made his side tick and gave them an early lead.

But after he limped off two minutes before half-time, Rangers were not the same team.

It took just three minutes for QPR to grab the lead. Kevin Gallen's clever flick put Rowlands away down the left and he ghosted past John Hardiker before firing an unstoppable shot into the net.

QPR continued to press in search of the crucial second goal but poor finishing and stubborn defending denied them.

Matthew Rose headed inches over when well-placed after 10 minutes, while Gallen's header was deflected over and Paul Furlong's goal- bound shot was blocked by Ashley Williams.

At the other end, Jim Goodwin was denied by Lee Camp's save while Aaron Wilbraham's volley flew over, but Stockport looked to be no threat to QPR's supremacy.

Without Rowlands, though, the visitors began to force their way back into the match. Mark Robertson forced a save from Camp while Richard Lambert failed to turn in Danny Jackman's drilled cross - but they did grab the equaliser with 58 minutes gone.

Lambert's free-kick was deflected goalwards where Steve Palmer stopped it on the line but, in the ensuing scramble, first Wilbraham had another effort cleared off the line only for Robert Clare to finally tuck in from close range.

QPR boss Ian Holloway threw caution to the wind and went with four strikers but , in truth, they rarely looked like getting the winner.

Jamie Cureton had one shot saved while Furlong twice went close but the best chance fell to Kevin McLeod after 70 minutes.

He got on the end of a Furlong cross but his effort was saved by the legs of keeper Anthony Williams and hacked to safety.

Holloway felt his side deserved the points. "When you look at the other results it is disappointing," he said. "We had 12 shots to their one and there were a couple of decisions the ref missed as well.

"On the balance of play we deserved the three points but even if we had won, it wouldn't have been over. We've got some tough games to come but we are still in with a shout - not just to go up but to be champions."

Stockport manager Sammy McIlroy was delighted with the result, which stretched his team's unbeaten run to nine games.

"The spirit and commitment in the team is fantastic," he said. "I think we showed them too much respect in the first half but we had a word at the break and in the second half we came out and really gave it a go."

He continued: "We're above the white line still and we're at home to Grimsby next week, so it is really up to us."

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