With a game against Ipswich on Friday night Waddo rang the changes and fielded a pretty experimental side. Cole was in goal behind a back four of Bignot, Stewart, Rehman and debutant Howell. Baidoo, Bailey, Bircham and Cook lined up in midfield behind Blackstock and Gallen. Egutu Oliseh was named on the bench for the first time in his R’s career.

Gallen and Cook spurned early chances for Rangers as Northampton struggled to get going initially. Gallen had two headers at goal, the first looped into the keepers hands and the second was blocked at the far post. Cookie cracked an angled drive across the face of goal before he gave Rangers the lead.

Rangers broke from defence and Gallen and Blackstock combined to set Cook free. He jinked inside his man and found himself in space in the box. He fired at goal and Bunn seemed to have it covered before a deflection left him wrong footed and helpless to intervene. It was Cook’s first goal of the season and he was certainly turning in his most accomplished display. Cobblers’ full back Jason Crowe was getting turned inside out with alarming regularity.

Cook went close again with another shot across goal and then Baidoo headed straight at the keeper. Rangers seemed to be creating and spurning chance after chance but all the while Northampton were forcing their way back into the game.

Some great blocking around the box from Bailey and Stewart in particular played a large part in keeping Rangers’ noses in front. Shortly before the break Kirk managed to get in behind young left back Andrew Howell and he crashed a shot against the outside of Cole’s left hand post. It was a wake up call that Rangers heeded and at half time I’m sure Waddo got stuck into them and demanded more concentration.

Only two minutes after the break Rangers doubled their advantage through Gallen. Blackstock won a freekick on the edge of the area and Gallen stepped up to take the kick. He seemed to be looking to steer it into the box rather than the goal but Bunn made a mess of things and the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

That should have been the end of the game but Northampton were soon back into it thanks to half time sub Jerome Watt. The winger picked up the ball and drive at the heart of the R’s defence. Space seemed to open up before him and he hit the ball from twenty yards. Jake Cole seemed to have it covered but it somehow went straight through him and it was game on again.

Baidoo and Blackstock both went close for Rangers. Shabba was really getting into the game on the right and he broke brilliantly and tricked his way into the box before shooting wide. Blackstock was played in after some good work from Bailey but his shot on his weaker right foot was gathered at the second attempt by Bunn.

With just under fifteen minutes left Gallen made way for Oliseh as Waddo attempted to take the sting out of the game. Oliseh hadn’t even touched the ball though when Northampton grabbed an equaliser. Rangers failed to clear the ball on the edge of the area and Northern Ireland international Kirk controlled and swivelled to fire a pearler past Cole. The game should have been done and dusted by now but some slack play had cost us dear.

Rangers were now pouring forward in an effort to grab a winner having surrendered a position of strength. Crowe had now switched to left back and was being torn to ribbons by Baidoo and Oliseh was picking pass after pass in midfield and showing the class that he demonstrated in his trail at Aldershot.

Bircham went down with cramp and Waddock made a bold change and sent on Ray Jones in his place, the move would soon pay dividends. A ball into the box was controlled by Blackstock and he fed it into the path of Bignot. The full back sent a cross into the middle of the area and Jones sent a delicate header into the top corner leaving Bunn no chance. It was a great moment for Jones who has come on so much in such a short space of time, even his progress from the start of this season is remarkable.

The five minutes of injury time passed without much further incident and at the final whistle Rangers were able to celebrate a rare cup win. With so many changes this was never going to be a fluent display but there were plenty of positives. It was great to see Andrew Howell get a start and although he didn’t have his best game the experience will be invaluable, the same goes for Jake Cole.

Bailey drove hard from the middle of the park and Baidoo and Cook in wide areas both did well. Blackstock was lively again up top, Gallen got some much needed game time under his belt and of course there was Jones’ goal. It will be all change again for the Ipswich game but the confidence from this win could prove invaluable against a side that are struggling badly.

Man of the Match – Shabazz Baidoo. Shabba started on the right, moved up top and then moved back to the right again. In the second half he was brilliant and I think he will start there on Friday if Ainsworth doesn’t make it.

simon@qprnet.com