Queens Park Rangers 1 Swindon Town 0

Last updated : 01 May 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Martin Rowlands' early goal handed Queens Park Rangers a 1-0 win against Swindon at Loftus Road and left them on the brink of a return to the First Division.

The west London's side's hard-fought victory means they will be promoted on Sunday if third-placed Bristol City fail to win at Barnsley.

Rangers, unbeaten at home in the league this season, made a dream start when Rowlands put them in front after just 76 seconds.

Kevin Gallen tricked his way to the byline and his cross from the right found its way to Rowlands, who fired past goalkeeper Rhys Evans.

Evans then saved Gallen's 20-yard shot and saw Gino Padula's free-kick fly wide of his right-hand post as Rangers continued to pile on the pressure.

Swindon rallied midway through the first-half. Robins' full-back Andy Gurney sent a shot wide and Stefan Miglioranzi failed to hit the target after Gurney pulled the ball back to him from the right.

But Town were dealt a blow on 31 minutes, when Miglioranzi hobbled off after suffering a knock.

Rangers regained the initiative and Gareth Ainsworth missed a great chance to put them further in front when he arrived unmarked to meet Rowlands' left-wing cross only to misdirect his header, which was blocked by Sean O'Hanlon.

The R's looked edgy in the early stages of the second half but found another gear just as Swindon seemed like they could force their way back into the match.

Evans came to Swindon's rescue just after the hour mark, when he tipped away Marc Bircham's effort and from the resulting corner from Padula, Gallen headed against the woodwork.

Gallen fired just wide of the post and Paul Furlong's driven free-kick was well held by Evans as Rangers searched for the second goal that would have spared them a nervy finish.

Instead the bumper home crowd were left biting their nails until the end, and Matt Hewlett missed a late chance to equalise when he blazed over from close-range.