Queens Park Rangers 1 Rushden & Diamonds 0

Last updated : 08 January 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Kevin Gallen's first-half strike gave title-chasing QPR a far from convincing 1-0 victory against Rushden & Diamonds at Loftus Road.

It came after clever work on the right by Martin Rowlands, who pulled the ball back for Gallen to fire home his 11th goal of the season.

Gallen had earlier been put through on goal by Rowlands only to be denied by goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown, who also did well to save from Paul Furlong after the striker had been picked out by winger Kevin McLeod.

But Ashdown could do nothing to keep out Gallen's winner and he was almost beaten again eight minutes before half-time, when defender Dan Shittu headed Gallen's left-wing corner just over.

Shittu made a mess of a golden chance to score a minute later. The ball dropped to him after Rushden failed to clear Gino Padula's corner but Shittu, 10 yards out and completely unmarked, clumsily fired well wide.

Rowlands saw a 30-yard drive held by Ashdown in the last minute of a first-half Rangers dominated.

Rushden were transformed after the break. Andy Burgess' long-range effort brought R's keeper Chris Day's first save of the game, before Diamonds forward Onandi Lowe held off Terrell Forbes and blasted over.

With the home fans becoming increasingly restless, Rangers were given a real scare when Paul Hall galloped down the right flank and sent a blistering shot past Day and onto the post.

That near miss woke Rangers up and McLeod fired over, before Marc Bircham failed to make the most of an opportunity to make it two.

Ashdown raced from his line to stop McLeod latching onto Furlong's punt upfield and after the loose ball fell to Bircham, he rounded the stranded Ashdown only to shoot over from the edge of the box as he attempted to beat the three Rushden players protecting the goal.

It almost proved to be a costly miss, as substitute Trevor Benjamin should have rescued a point for Rushden late on but headed wide of the target from eight yards out.

And right at the end, Day did brilliantly to tipped away Rodney Jack's shot following David Bell's left-wing cross.