An eventful day out at Loftus Road saw Hull go into a two nil lead after 50 minutes. However, QPR were able to rally and within ten minutes had pulled it back to 2-2. The action wasn’t over, as Bo Myhill was dubiously sent off for handling outside the area, where footage from the game has shown this to look a very harsh decision. Luckily, it didn’t cost the Tigers as they headed back up north with another point.
Peter Taylor made three changes, with Lynch returning to right back with France moving into right midfield, Fagan was recalled up front due to Chris Brown returning to Sunderland and Ben Burgess being injured. Nick Barmby started on the left, while Robbie Stockdale and Russell Fry were called up to the bench.
Paul Furlong started lively, causing problems in the defence but was only able to guide his header straight at Myhill. Hull’s first chance fell to new striker Paynter, but his placed shot was easy for Royce in goal.
The best chance came midway through the first half. Barmby sent Paynter through on goal, but a slight hesitation and an increasingly difficult angle, he wasn’t able to capatalise on a golden chance.
QPR started to respond, with Furlong firing over from a well-worked free-kick, and then Dyer took too long and Lynch made a great goal-saving challenge.
City then pushed forward. France’s cross found Barmby but his steered effort across goal was cut out by Royce. Five minutes later, the Tigers had the lead. Fagan found space on the left, a deep cross found France who rose and guided a fantastic header into the far corner past the despairing dive of Royce.
Just after half time, Kevin Gallen had to go off injured, with Stefan Moore his replacement. But on fifty minutes, the Tigers extended their lead. France was blocked, but the ball went back to Lynch. His first time cross picked out Paynter who steered a header into the bottom corner of the net. His first goal for the Tigers and hopefully we will be seeing many more from him.
QPR battled back well though. Cook fired just wide of Myhill’s post before they pulled one back. A corner taken from Langley found Ainsworth who had pulled off from his marker and headed into the bottom corner from twelve yards. Not what the Tigers needed so quickly after establishing the two goal lead. Ryan France though almost hit straight back. A diagonal run across the box got him space, but after a chip over the goalkeeper, the defence had got back to head off the line.
On 62 minutes, Barmby had to be replaced through injury, so on came Stuart Elliott. Four minutes later and it was 2-2. A half clearance saw Ainsworth get control of the ball, and his effort looped up off John Welsh and over a stranded Myhill into the goal. QPR were now dominating and Hull were trying to withstand heavy pressure.
Myhill had to be alert to deal with another long range effort from Cook. A few minutes kater, Cook rattled the post as Myhill stood and watched. On 76 minutes, Myhill was sent off. A ball sent over the defence forced Myhill to come out. As he slipped, he turned and caught the ball. Judged to have been outside the area he was sent off, however, pictures today suggest he wasn’t, and Peter Taylor will be appealing against this ban.
From the free-kick – now with Matt Duke in goal for the Tigers, Richard Langley struck the free-kick against the post. Langley then struck another shot just wide of the post.
Near the end of the game, a ball sent over the top of the QPR defence brought Royce out of goal, and even though he appeared to also handle outside the area, no action was taken over the decision. The Tigers fans appealed, but to no avail.
The Tigers will have been disappointed not to have taken three points. Unable to close the game out, QPR got back in the game quickly and put City under heavy pressure. With everything that happened, a point is vital at this stage, and with four massive games now coming up for the Tigers, lets hope we can finally get this illusive victory.
Player Ratings
Boaz Myhill – 6
Not one of his better performances. Wasn’t as confident with his decision making, but was unlucky to have been sent off. Surely this will be appealed against and will be rescinded before the visit of Cardiff City.
Mark Lynch – 7
Did well upon his recall. Defended well but with a few stray passes. Got forward well and supplied a great cross for Paynter’s goal.
Sam Collins – 7
Organised well and looks to be settling in well. Another good performance to hopefully build upon before next week.
Leon Cort – 7
Solid as ever. Made some great telling challenges at important stages of the game. Battled very well against the physical Furlong, and gave as good as he got.
Damien Delaney – 6
Where the problems in our team are coming from. Terrorised all game by Ainsworth, and he just can’t play in this position. We need Andy Dawson or Roland Edge back before Cardiff’s visit on Saturday.
Ryan France – 8
A brilliant performance. Direct running at the defence (something we have lacked), good crossing and a fine headed goal. Was unlucky with chipped effort over goalkeeper.
Curtis Woodhouse
Battled well in midfield but didn’t dominate when we needed him as we tried to hang onto the lead.
John Welsh – 8
Another good and solid performance. battled well in the middle of the park. Some good challenges and got through a lot of hard work.
Nick Barmby – 7
Linked up well with paynter and Fagan. Some neat touches and flicks that unlocked the QPR defence. Getting back to his best after some poor performances earlier in the season.
Craig Fagan – 7
Ran his heart out for the cause. Always a threat with pace and linked up well with Paynter. great cross for the first goal from France.
Billy Paynter – 7
Will have been delighted to have scored. His first in new colours and lets hope he can kick on and get another one next weekend. Unlucky with another few efforts.
Stuart Elliott – 5
Struggled to get into the game. Came on just after the 60 minute mark, but was very un-noticeable for the rest of the game. He is better than this, but just isn’t showing it at the moment.
Manager Rating
6 – New tactic is looking better. Fagan, Paynter and Barmby all linked up well together, and even left a man up when defending corners, which gave Bo a quick outlet. Will be very disappointed to have let the lead slip.
Opponent Rating
6 – Has awful problems off the pitch, so the fight and spirit his team showed to get back into this game will have pleased Holloway. A manager never to give up, just like his team.
Policing
A strong police presence at the match, but they did it in an effective way. I personally didn’t see any trouble, but the police made themselves noticed without being over the top. A lot better than some of the stewards than I have seen at other places like Coventry and our own Humberside police (they could have learnt something from this.)
That red card
Having seen it yesterday and on T.V now today, the pictures do show that he wasn’t outside the area when he handled it. Chris Kamara even did his “justice corner” on Goals on Sunday to prove it should be rescinded. Lets hope so. The QPR goalkeeper definitely looked like he got pretty close though.
