By James
December 11 2005

Town managed to save a point this afternoon against top-half QPR, with a last minute equaliser from Danny Haynes. The 17 year-old making only his third appearance for Town and scoring his first for the club. The game burst into life as town had an early opportunity with Billy Clarke immediately running at goal after only 12 seconds. Nothing came of the move, but it was reassuring to see an early attack on goal.

Two minutes later, a free kick from Richard Langley at the other end whistled into the side netting, with the on-running Furlong landing on Lewis Price's head. The North stand and some of the Britannia stand joined in with Jason De Vos's claims that the rangers striker had intentionally kicked Price. The referee saw it differently and gave Furlong a yellow, whilst Price received treatment.

Gavin Williams became the first of Town's bookings, before Rangers took the lead on 26 minutes. Some neat play resulted in Ainsworth's cross being headed in by Moore.
Town then enjoyed 10 minutes of corners and free kicks around the QPR box, with De Vos and Juan having 2 efforts each and Forster having a great diving header denied by Simon Royce.

Eventually, the blues managed to level up the scores with De Vos firing a bullet header in at the near post after connecting with a Darren Currie flag kick.
Town kept the QPR defence busy with set-pieces and great crosses from Currie, twice forcing Royce to make important saves.

On 41 minutes, rangers gained the lead again, this time through Furlong. Ainsworth putting in another dangerous cross, and Furlong poking it across the line.

After the break, Royle made two subs. Westlake replacing Clarke, with Naylor moving into attack and Wilnis moving into a central defending role.

Bean almost managed to extend the visitor's lead, but found himself unable to bundle the ball over the line. Following that, Price did well to keep out Langley's free kick, throwing himself to his right.

Seconds later at the other end, Town were denied by Furlong stabbing the ball out from Juan's feet as he prepared to hammer home from 5 yards.

Magilton came on to replace injured Gavin Williams, on 70 minutes and QPR introduced ex-Town player, Georges Santos.

Town again continued to threaten from set-pieces and corners, with De Vos forcing a save at the near post, and Naylor heading over on 80 minutes.

As Town pressed for an equaliser Haynes made his third appearance, replacing Jimmy Juan. Westlake fired a bullet across goal, but no-one was there to meet it and Matt Richards blasted a rocket into row z.

On 88 minutes, some precise football levelled the scores once again, and saved Town a point. The blues had set up camp on the edge of the ranger's area and provided some entertaining play. The goal coming from substitute, Danny Haynes, latching on to a beautiful pass from Jim Magilton and nodding it into the top corner.

The super blues showed some brilliant football, but need to create more chances in open play, and convert them in to shots if they want to win games. Unfortunately, Norwich climbed above Town for the first time this season, after coming from behind to beat Crewe 2-1.

(table coming soon)