John Gregory Lined Rangers up in what is becoming his preferred formation, 5 3 2. Simon Royce started in goal behind a back five of Marcus Bignot and Mauro Milanese as wingbacks with Damion Stewart, Michael Mancienne and a recalled Zesh Rehman in the back three. The midfield consisted of Lee Cook, Jimmy Smith and the recalled Marc Bircham. Up front Dexter Blackstock partnered Paul Furlong who made his first start of the season. Cole, Rowlands, Ward, Bailey and Ray Jones made the subs bench. 

Rangers made a solid if unspectacular start to the first half, keeping possession and passing the ball well. However it was Birmingham who had the first real chance on goal. Garry McSheffrey strolled past a static Bircham and cut the ball back across the box only for the ball to roll too quickly past the onrushing Campbell and Bendtner.  

Moments later Former Spurs star Steven Clemence whipped a great ball into the box that Bendtner headed just over the bar. After around ten minutes Lee Cook produced a wonderful bit of skill out on the left flank, he showed Damion Johnson a set of clean heels and threaded through a ball into the left hand channel that Dexter Blackstock managed to run onto, however only minimal contact was made, his shot never really troubled Taylor in the Blues goal.  

In the thirteenth minute Cook and Smith were fannying about in the middle when Cook lost possession to Bendtner. Once again the on loan Danish international showed his undoubted class by Sprinting clear of Bircham, Stewart and Rehman and unleashing a fierce shot that Royce did well to parry, the ball fell to the Dane whose follow up was appalling, skying the ball high into the stands. 

In the twentieth minute Birmingham were awarded yet another soft free kick by referee Mr Friend. Garry McSheffrey sent a brilliant ball into the box which was headed home by an unmarked Matthew Upson, one of three Blues players not picked up by any Rangers defender. Gregory really does need to work on marking at set pieces I have lost count of the number of times Rangers concede at set pieces leaving players unmarked it is defensive suicide.  

To give Rangers credit their response was superb. Not one player seemed to give up, a stark contrast to previous weeks. Ten minutes later and Rangers were back level. A delightful bit of play down the right hand side by Furlong who still has the vision despite not having much else released Cook. Cookie completely embarrassed former loan ranger Steven Kelly. The Blues right back just stood of Cookie and watched him arrow a right footed missile into the back of the net from just outside the box, goal of the month surely?  

Moments later Rangers reject DJ Campbell carved open the R’s defence and unleashed a twenty yard rocket that Royce did well to tip over. Five minutes from time Milanese was the first player booked for kicking the ball away in frustration after being harshly penalised by referee Friend. From this City almost scored, Johnson flashing a shot across goal that Clemence just failed to connect with Stewart hacked it away, a goal then and the game would have been over. 

The second half started like the first with Rangers holding their own against strong attacks from the Blues. McSheffrey breezed past Rehman and squared it to Campbell whose shot was fumbled by Royce Mancienne managed to hack it away for a corner. 

Moments later a free kick from Cook found Blackstock whose powerful header just cleared the bar. At this point Gregory made his first change bringing on Bailey for Bircham.  

Bendtner put McSheffrey in the clear in the seventieth minute the former Coventry striker seemed a little surprised he looked offside from were I was sitting and with the entire Rangers backline stopping dead with their arms up he also stopped momentarily. However unlike the R’s defence he quickly resumed his composure and fed the ball through to Blues substitute Cameron Jerome the former Cardiff striker firing past the exposed Royce.  

On seventy five minutes Rowlands came on for Milanese and Rangers reverted to four four two. Almost immediately the little Irishman sent a shot in that could have sneaked its way in if Taylor was not so alert. Blackstock went off to be replaced by Ray Jones but with ten minutes remaining time was running out for the R’s. 

Well a solid performance by Rangers but in truth if it wasn’t for the poor finishing of the Blues strikers then City could easily have had five or six. Stand out performers were most notably Blackstock for his endless running all afternoon, and also a mention has to go to Mancienne he was a rock at the back all afternoon. Yet again Rehman continues his poor form did we really sign him from premiership Fulham? Also have to say that Jimmy Smith once again let the game pass him by, he needs to start performing again soon or he could end up benched.  

Man of the Match - Lee Cook: Cookie was outstanding really showing his class throughout. He scored a great goal and was even back helping the defenders with crunching tackles!

simon@qprnet.com