For the second Saturday on the bounce Rangers staged a storming comeback to grab a win with an injury time strike. In a game that was bad tempered at times Rangers kept their heads, despite people trying to knock them off, and kept on battling to the last.

Olly made changes after the midweek cup defeat at Villa. Rested players returned to give the line up a far more familiar look. Day was in goal behind a back four of Bignot, Santos, Shittu and Rose. The midfield four was made up of Rowlands, Bircham, Gallen and Cook with Cureton and Furlong partnered in attack.

Chances were at a premium in a scrappy opening to the game in which neither side managed to really get the ball down and pass it. It was clear that this was going to be a tempestuous affair with chimp impersonator Martin Keown doing his level best to wind Furlong up at every opportunity. At the other end of the field David Connelly and Nathan Blake were also dishing out snidey digs whenever they could.

The first two chances of the game fell Rangers way but neither really tested former Wednesday stalwart Kevin Pressman. Cureton struck one from distance that was claimed comfortably and Martin Rowlands saw a similar effort fall into the big keepers grasp. The game exploded midway through the half when ex-Watford striker Connelly smashed his arm into Bircham’s face as they tussled for a ball. It seemed a clear sending off from where I was sitting but instead the ref chose to book both players, Bircham must have attacked Connelly’s arm with his face! This was just a taste of things to come.

Moments later Leicester were in the lead following their first real attack of the game. A long ball sprung the R’s offside trap and Connelly found himself through on Day. Daisy met the ball with his head at the very extreme of his area but the ball fell at the feet of Nathan Blake. His first effort was again blocked by Day but he got the ball back and managed to pick out James Scowcroft who steered the ball low into the corner.

Soon the game was marred by yet another scuffle, Keown lashed out at Furlong as the pair tried to regain their feet following a challenge. Both veterans came out swinging and in truth were lucky not to have first use of the bath water. Robinson booked both for their part in the fracas which dragged players from all over the field. Even this failed to fire Rangers though and on the stroke of half time Leicester went two goals ahead courtesy of Connelly.

The Foxes striker was given time and space outside the area as nobody moved to close him down. He had ample opportunity to pick his spot and he did so unerringly as he arrowed a beauty into Day’s top corner. There was little Daisy could do about it and he must be getting fed up with having unstoppable shots whistled past him. It was clear that the boys needed some home truths at the break, too many balls were coming into the box and the wide men were not applying any pressure in defence or attack.

The half had not started well for either team when Connelly launched his second attack of the day and earned a second yellow card. A high ball was attacked by Santos and as he met it Connelly cracked an elbow into his face. Big Georges hit the deck and referee Robinson produced a second caution. In truth it should have been a straight red, as should the one for the elbow on Bircham, at least the ref managed to get the right result in the end though.

Adams now found his team unbalanced and decided to move Dion Dublin from centre half to centre forward, a move which I think cost them the game. Dublin had been in imperious form at the back and as soon as he moved Furlong and Cureton were bossing ageing plodders Dabizas and Keown. It took Rangers just five minutes to make their man advantage tell with a goal that put us right back into the game.

Having just seen a Matthew Rose header chalked off for the ball curling out of play there seemed to be little danger as Marcus Bignot picked the ball up just past the halfway line. He sent a tremendous ball arrowing toward the far post where Cookie was waiting to pounce. The little winger met the ball firmly with his head and planted the ball under the despairing dive of Pressman.

It was one way traffic now as Rangers laid siege to the Leicester goal. Crosses were coming in from all angles and it only seemed a matter of time before we were on level terms. The goal came from a predictable source in grizzled warhorse Paul Furlong. Martin Rowlands, who had been disappointing, managed to get a cross into the area. Furs pulled off of his man and angled a header past Pressman to send Loftus Road wild. It was no less than Rangers deserved having battled so hard and made full use of their superior numbers.

With the match delicately poised Pressman produced a wonderful save to deny Cookie and I am sure everybody would have taken the draw at that point buts Furs was having none of that. Cookie teased Chris Makin in the Leicester right back slot, turning him one way and the other before whipping in a stunning cross. Furs once again created some space and dove headlong to send the ball into the corner for an injury time winner and spark wild celebrations on the terraces. There was also confusion as Chino Man announced that Big Dan was the scorer but who gave a toss, a goal is a goal is a goal!

This was a really good battling display from Rangers and they for once made a man advantage tell. In the second half they moved the ball intelligently and when they managed to get Cook into the game he showed what an effective player he can be. Makin is probably having treatment for twisted blood this morning such was the chasing he got in the second half.

Day really didn’t have much to do given the form of Santos and Shittu, Olly’s roof inspectors! Bignot and Rose gave able support though I would still prefer a left back at left back in future. Gallen and Bircham worked hard in midfield and in attack Cureton and Furlong continued to build a very effective partnership. Furs is a class apart at the moment though and must be a shoe in for September’s player of the month with six in four so far.

Tuesday’s game against Coventry will be another tough one but one that we should not be afraid of. If we play this well then they will know they have been in a game, we just need to start a bit brighter and try and impose ourselves on the game rather than having to fight back again.

simon@qprnet.com