Rangers suffered their first pre season defeat, going down 2-0 at SPL side Falkirk on Saturday afternoon. A quick fire double in the first half did for Rangers, the most concerning moment of the afternoon though would have been the sight of Matt Connolly leaving the field on a stretcher. 

Dowie made just one change to the XI that started at Northampton during the week. Camp was in goal behind Connolly, Hall, Stewart and Delaney. Ledesma, Mahon, Rowlands and Ephraim were across midfield with Agyemang and Blackstock up front.

Ledesma had already fired wide before Falkirk hit the front in fortuitous fashion. Gerard Aafjes ran clear down the wing and aimed a fierce low cross into the area. As Damion Stewart attacked it to try and clear he only served to crash it past Camp. Two minutes later it was 2-0 as another Stewart, this time Falkirk’s John, volleyed home after some slack marking at a corner.

Rangers were behind the 8 ball now but tried to claw their way back in with Delaney and Ledesma both firing wide before Ephraim forced Falkirk keeper Olejnik to turn his shot past the post on the stroke of half time.

Ephraim got the hook at the break and the hitherto impressive Matteo Alberti took his place. Mahon and Rowlands both went close for Rangers before Connolly suffered an injury that would end his afternoon and most likely his pre season campaign. He rolled his ankle over in a challenge and left on a stretcher with Ramage taking his place. No doubt he will be sent home for a scan and some intensive treatment to try and get him ready for the big kick off in a fortnight.

Blackstock was denied by a last ditch challenge from Darren Barr before Stewart went some way toward making amends for his earlier blunder by denying John Stewart a second of the afternoon.

Dowie will doubtless maintain that the result isn’t the important thing and that these games are about getting fitness and sharpness into the players but nobody likes getting beaten. He will be hoping that Connolly isn’t too bad as he has looked good in the last couple of games and will provide Ramage with some real competition.

The team now play Kilmarnock on Tuesday night and they will be hoping for a more positive outcome.

QPR: Camp, Connolly (Ramage 55), Hall, Stewart, Delaney, Ledesma (Ainsworth 68), Rowlands (Bolder 61), Mahon, Ephraim (Alberti 46), Agyemang (Balanta 78), Blackstock. Subs not used: Crowther, Walton, Rehman, Rose 

simon@qprnet.com