Rangers got back to winning ways after only one point from six with a late, late victory over league leaders Wigan Athletic. This was a win that owed as much to the profligate nature of the Wigan front pair Ellington and Roberts as it did to the deadly finishing of Paul Furlong.

Injuries and suspensions once again forced Holloway’s hand in terms of team selection. Day remained in goal behind a back four of the returning Bignot, Santos, Shittu and Rose. Ainsworth started his first match since August on the right with Bean replacing the suspended Bircham as Gallen’s partner in the middle. Cookie was once again on the left loading the bullets for Cureton and Furlong in attack.

It was clear from the off that Georges and Big Dan would need to be on their mettle against the prolific Roberts and Ellington. They are two big burly strikers whose movement and physicality will cause problems all day. In our centre backs though they found a paid that were more than willing to fight fire with fire as far as the rough and tumble goes.

Ellington managed to wriggle free of their attentions early in the game and seemed certain to score as he went one on one with Day. His shot though was more like a back pass and Day had plenty of time to throw his cap on it. At the other end Furlong got on the end of an excellent Bean cross but failed to trouble Aussie keeper Filan.

Shittu very nearly handed Wigan a goal when he backed his strength against Ellington as he tried to see the ball out for a goal kick. Ellington hustled him off the ball and pulled it back only to see Roberts fire wide. Santos was quick to berate his young apprentice and gave him a slap round the back of the head to sharpen him up. If you take liberties against this pair you will be in serious bother and after this the pair of them put on a defensive tour de force.

Thus far Rangers seemed to be striking an unhappy medium of either smashing the ball long or overplaying in midfield. One pass too many to Bean saw Roberts pinch the ball and play it into the path of Nicky Eaden. Luckily he dragged hit shot wide when he should have scored. Jimmy Bullard then wasted a huge chance as he got through one on one with Day. Daisy had his usual yes, no, maybe session before breaking the force field that seems to keep him almost permanently in his six yard box and smother at the former Hammers feet.

Rangers were lucky to get in at the break without being three or four goals down and you sensed that it would only be a matter of time before Wigan made the breakthrough. The teams traded chances as the second half began. Roberts broke through for yet another one on one and once again the shot was dragged wide. At the other end some slick football ended with Bignot being played in on the right, a pull back may have been the better option but Biggy went for goal and Filan beat the ball away.

Things were opening up now and slowly Rangers were starting to take control of the game. With Santos and Shittu closing down all the space at the back the attacking talent could start to shine. Things picked up a notch when Ainsworth was replaced by McLeod and Cureton went onto the right wing. Curo had been starved of the ball alongside Furlong but now he was starting to torment David Wright at full back.

Day had to be alert to deny Alan Mahon a goal when his freekick was tipped away. Holloway signalled his intentions when he replaced Cook with Padula and threw Santos up front in an effort to release Furlong into more dangerous areas. Things were now opening up even more and McLeod should have scored when he turned well in the box but dragged his shot across the face with Santos and Cureton screaming for the cross.

The game was now getting to the stage where one goal would surely win it and this was clearly in the minds of the Wigan players. As Ellington crumpled in a heap on the edge of the Rangers box Wigan still probed for an opening. Bullard had the ball in the middle of the park but tried one pass too many and it was intercepted. McLeod was released on the left and he charged down the wing before whipping in a beautiful cross. Furlong had matched him stride for stride and as the ball arrived he leapt to plant his header past Filan and in off the post. Loftus Road erupted with a noise the likes of which I haven’t heard in there since the Oldham play off game.

There were four minutes left to play and it was a matter of shutting up shop. Santos went back into the back four with Rose moving into a five man midfield leaving Furs alone up front. The four minutes passed and then two minutes injury time was added and then another two minutes! The final whistle brought jubilation to all but the 1000 odd Wigan fans that faced up to their long trudge back to the north west.

This was by no means a classic display and had Wigan brought their finishing boots with them we could have been on the end of an old fashioned whooping. But they didn’t and they allowed one of the division’s deadliest marksmen a sight of goal which he took with aplomb.

Although Furs got the goal it was the defensive players in the middle of the park that took the plaudits. Santos, Shittu and Bean just in front did a fabulous job of snuffing out the triple threat of Ellington, Roberts and Bullard. No doubt Bean will be getting his usual Sunday morning vilification on the message boards but just because he is no Ray Wilkins it doesn’t mean he isn’t vital. He is Olly’s Olly.

Whilst it was pleasing to see no bookings in the game, especially after losing vital players through suspension already this term, I was amazed to see nearly forty free kicks awarded by referee Knight. Having been kicked off of the Bolton/Villa game you could see why Big Sam didn’t want him. If you play with any sort of physical presence then you will be penalised time and again whether it is a free kick or not. He made the game bitty and you certainly knew he was there. I always thought the ref should be in the background of a game not bang in the middle making himself known to all and sundry.

Leeds away now awaits the R’s and this is certainly a game we can go and win. There is nobody that knows the shortcomings of Carlisle better than Olly and nobody that can expose them better than Furlong and Cureton. This will be another slobber knocker and I can’t bloody wait.

simon@qprnet.com