Waddock stuck with the same starting line up that had suffered a late defeat against Norwich City last Monday. Jones was in goal behind Bignot, Shittu, Santos and Milanese. Ainsworth, Lomas, Bailey and Cook were in midfield with Furlong and Nygaard up top. There was a first place on the bench for Giant Ray Jones.

Although Watford were hardly at full strength they seemed to start the game the brighter and given the fortunes of the two sides that was hardly a surprise. Watford had the first sight of goal and Rangers were grateful that the chance came to Mackay rather than Young or Henderson. He lashed a ball into the stands following a corner when he should probably have done better.

Rangers’ first genuine chance of the game came when Furlong rolled back the years to send a volley at Fosters goal. Having taken the ball on his chest with his back to goal he swivelled and sent his shot in. The ball just dipped and faded away from the goal at the last moment and Foster didn’t need to intervene.

Jordan Stewart caused a few palpitations when he whipped in a devilish corner that cannoned back off of the post with Jones stranded. Mackay then missed another good chance when he stole in unmarked at the back post but sent his header clattering in to pole holding up the net rather than the net itself. A few Watford fans thought it was in from their vantage point in the upper School End.

Steve Lomas fired a shot at Foster that the on loan Manchester United man held easily before the Rangers fans spirits were lifted when Carlisle had to hobble off. The big centre half to whom loyalty is a dirty word fell over taking a freekick and seemed to tweak something. He tried to knock a pass forward minutes later and that was his lot. McNamee came on in his place and went to the left wing, Stewart shifted to left back and DeMerit moved to centre back.

A minute later Rangers hit the front when Cook was felled in the box for a penalty. The former Watford man attacked Lloyd Doyley and as he jinked inside the right back hung out a leg and Cook went over it. After Ainsworth’s horrendous attempt a couple of weeks ago Nygaard took responsibility and despatched an excellent right footed effort into the corner. As he wheeled away he peeled off his shirt to celebrate and was booked by D’Urso.

Two minutes later Rangers thought they were two up when Furlong stole a march on the Watford defence and beat Foster to a bouncing ball. He lobbed the ball gently over the keeper and was wheeling away in celebration as it took an incredibly hard bounce and deflected off of the bar and out. Had Furs followed it in he would have had a tap in but as it was Foster gathered easily and immediately sent the ball upfield. It found its way to the feet of Ashley Young and he sent a fantastic curling shot into the top corner to give Jones no chance. It was just about par for the course in one of the most luckless seasons I can ever remember.

The drama for the half wasn’t over though as referee D’Urso came to the fore. Henderson and Shittu chased after a ball and the Watford man punched Shittu in the face leaving the R’s man on the deck. Players from both sides converged on the resulting melee and the ground was left stunned as D’Urso produced a yellow card for Henderson. He had clearly seen the incident as he booked him, but it would seem that striking an opponent now carries the same punishment as celebrating a goal. Worse was to come though as he called Nygaard across and gave him a second yellow.

Nygaard was idiotic to get involved but this whole incident highlights the shocking inconsistency in refereeing at this level. Milanese was first on the scene and shoved Henderson full in the chest but received no censure. Nygaard turned up a long time after most but was picked out. What about the other fifteen players that were pushing and shoving? How do you select one player from a whole group? I think the answer lies in the fact that D’Urso can’t resist being the centre of attention. I always thought that people came to watch the game not the ref. He is easily the worst we have had at Rangers since Andy Hall.

Once Shittu had regained his feet he went looking for Henderson and nobody could have been surprised if he had banjoed him. Boothroyd had clearly seen what went on and wisely took his man off at the break to save him from either a red card or the retribution that would surely have come.

The second half was going to be a strange affair but to be fair to Waddock he didn’t send his men out to hang on. Ainsworth moved up top to partner Furlong and Lomas, Bailey and Cook spread themselves across the midfield.

Young had the first half chance of the second period with an overhead kick that flew well wide before Cook just failed to supply the ball Furlong was looking for after he found space between DeMerit and Mackay.

Chances were at a premium for both sides though. Rangers were beginning to feel the hindrance of the ten men whilst Watford were huffing and puffing away without the influential Eagles and with Young playing up top. Teenage striker Theo Robinson was struggling to impose himself and Shittu and Santos were as comfortable as they had been all season.

Ainsworth almost caught Foster off guard when he unleashed a shot with the outside of his right boot from fully thirty yards. Foster looked to have given it up and was grateful to see the ball dip over the bar. At the other end Jones was similarly grateful when McNamee’s shot beat him but didn’t come down in time.

Then disaster struck as Santos gifted the points to The Hornets. A hopeful ball forward bounced in the box and Santos seemed to have plenty of time to just nod it out for a corner. Instead he tried to head it back to Jones; the only problem was that Jones had moved off his line to make him an angle that wouldn’t threaten the goal. Santos missed him by about five yards and the ball nestled in the back of the net.

Georges was devastated. He had turned in an excellent display to this point. He had been solid in defence and whilst as usual some of his passing was a bit haphazard he had also played some scintillating balls out from the back. He has never been liked by a section of the R’s faithful, many wrote him off before he had even pulled on the shirt but nobody can doubt his commitment and enthusiasm. There aren’t any grey areas with Georges, he is good or bad, but there has been more to celebrate than criticise in my opinion. It was a terrible shame that what is likely to be his final appearance at Loftus Road ended like this but it was probably a fitting way to sum up his R’s career.

Waddock sent on Donnelly and Giant Ray Jones in an attempt to get back into the match. Bignot and Lomas were taken off as Rangers went 3-3-3. Jones on his debut linked the play well in his brief time on the field and directed some good headers to team mates. Donnelly was industrious as ever and tested Foster with one effort from distance.

Rangers just couldn’t find a way to goal though and it was the Watford fans that were celebrating at the end as they knew that they had won a game that they scarcely deserved to. Unfortunately the match will of little consequence due to some idiocy from certain members of the crowd.

On three occasions missiles were hurled onto the pitch. Stewart was inches away from getting hit with a bottle, lino Joe Ross wasn’t so lucky and he was hit. His inept performance had angered many in the ground but there is no excuse to pelt him with stuff. Some of it fell short of its target and one Rangers fan was led away with a cut head as a result. No doubt we will be punished but it is all about cause and effect, I very much doubt the FA will be interested in the series of farcical and inflammatory decisions that led to this response though. If the fine we will undoubtedly get eats into Waddock’s budget for next season then I hope the culprits are pleased with themselves.

As for the game, Rangers were desperately unlucky to get beaten. Nygaard was a fool and should be hammered in the pocket by Waddock. Georges had a moment of madness and Furs was completely out of luck. Those three incidents are a microcosm of our season. Poor decisions from everyone from the board to the players and not a shred of luck to be seen. This has been a poxy season, roll on 3.15 next Sunday.

simon@qprnet.com