Queens Park Rangers 1 Stockport County 1

Last updated : 17 April 2004 By Footymad Previewer

A game of two halves saw the score end level as QPR got a point which could help them get promoted to Division One while Stockport secured a point which could keep them in Division Two.

The first half belonged to the home side and they got off to the perfect start when after three minutes Martin Rowlands found room on the left hand side of the box, cut inside his defender and fired low past Stockport keeper Anthony Williams.

The goal galvanised the crowd and minutes later they could have been celebrating another. Paul Furlong flicked on Mark Bertram's ball into the box and centre-back Matthew Rose who remained upfield from a corner saw his header from six yards out brilliantly tipped over by Williams.

Stockport had barely had a say offensively up until then though carved out a well-worked move midway through the half. Jon Daly did well to lay the ball out to Lee Cartwright. His cross was headed back across goal by Daly though Aaron Wilbraham couldn't stab the loose ball home as Lee Camp in the Rangers goal came out to gather.

That though was their only full chance of the half and QPR missed further chances to extend their lead particularly from set pieces where Furlong and Steve Palmer all missed with headed chances.

However, if the home side came racing out of the blocks in the first half Stockport more than matched them in the second.

With only a minute gone Mark Robertson headed Danny Jackman's corner straight into the hands of Camp before the latter fizzed the ball into the box though Ricky Lambert was unable to control the ball as it bounced behind.

With all this early pressure, an equaliser seemed inevitable and it duly arrived in the 58th minute.

A free kick by Lambert which he had won having been fouled by Rose on the edge of the box was superbly cleared off the line by Palmer though Robert Clare was on hand to bundle the ball home at the second attempt.

The goal was no more than they deserved though QPR responded straight away through Furlong.

First he did well to spin and fire in a shot which unfortunately for him was straight at Williams before he stood up a cross to the far post which substitute Kevin McLeod saw saved by the feet of the keeper.

Both sides showed plenty of effort and passion in the final minutes and Rangers had a strong shout for a penalty late on. However, neither side were able to manufacture a clear scoring chance and were left to settle for a share of the spoils.