Burnley 2 Queens Park Rangers 1

Last updated : 13 January 2009 By Footymad Previewer
Substitute Jay Rodriguez was again the hero for Burnley as his last-minute winner fired the home side into the fourth round of the FA Cup at the expense of QPR.

Rodriguez obviously has a liking for cup competitions as earlier in the season he came off the bench to score a late winner against Fulham in the Carling Cup.

The excitement at the end of the match was not matched by what preceded it as in the first half especially chances were few and far between.

Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen made his first save after 26 minutes, while opposite number Radek Cerny had to wait until the 32nd minute before being called into action.

Rangers went in front eight minutes into the second half when substitute Alan Mahon was dispossessed by Mikele Leigertwood, who set up Samuel Di Carmine to slip a shot past the advancing Jensen

Rangers almost extended their lead three minutes later in repeat fashion with this time Elliott caught in possession by Martin Rowlands, who crashed a shot against the top of the crossbar.

Burnley equalised just before the hour mark as the visitors defence was caught napping by a quickly taken short corner involving Elliott and Graham Alexander.

The full-back's cross was palmed away by Cerny as far as Joey Gudjonsson, whose half-hit shot was turned home off the underside of the crossbar by Steven Thompson.

Rowlands should have won the tie in normal time for Rangers, but after bursting clear of the Burnley defence shot wide of the target with only Jensen to beat.

Thompson did find the back of the net in stoppage time but was adjudged offside.

In extra-time Burnley were indebted to a fine save from Jensen, who kept out a deflected shot from substitute Romone Rose.

That save was to prove crucial as in the last minute of extra-time Alexander calmly played his way out of trouble, before striking a long ball downfield from which substitute Rodriguez managed to fire a shot past Cerny.