League leaders Nottingham Forest strengthened their grip at the top of the
First Division but were made to work hard for their victory at Loftus Road.
Rangers, without a win in seven games and without a goal in 360 minutes of
football, created the better chances.
It was Forest who started the better, though, forcing four corners in the
opening 15 minutes and it was from the last of them that they almost snatched
the lead.
Ian Woan swung the ball in and Steve Chettle met it perfectly with his head
only to see the effort deflected inches over the bar.
Steve Yates almost headed into his own net on 20 minutes despite being under
no pressure from Des Lyttle's cross, while Pierre Van Hooijdonk brilliantly put
in Kevin Campbell three minutes later only for his shot to slip just wide.
As the half wore on though it was Rangers who took charge and created two
excellent chances on the half hour.
First Simon Barker's corner was flicked on to the head of Steve Morrow only
for the defender to put his effort just over.
Then John Spencer flicked the ball
into the path of Kevin Gallen in the box but his shot was superbly saved by Dave
Beasant at full stretch.
Rangers forced a series of corners to keep Forest under pressure in the first
half but the visitors almost snatched the lead just before the break when
Thierry Bonalair skipped past two men and shot just wide.
Forest looked content to sit back and absorb the Rangers pressure in the
second half but they almost paid for it on 51 minutes when Barker's cross was
headed into the middle by Morrow to Spencer who couldn't quite get a foot in to
turn the ball into the net.
Gallen was unlucky on 67 minutes when he met Steve Slade's low cross and swept
the ball just wide while five minutes later he tried to repeat the attempt with
Gavin Peacock's cross only to completely miscue.
Forest caught Rangers with the perfect sucker punch on 84 minutes.
Alan Rogers swung a free kick in from the left and Colin Cooper rose highest
to nod the ball past Lee Harper.
It was tough luck on hardworking Rangers and they almost conceded another on
the break in the last minute when Campbell worked his way free only for Harper
to make and excellent save.
QPR: Harper, Yates, Brevett, Quashie, Ready, Morrow, Spencer,
Peacock, Murray, Gallen (Heinola 85), Barker (Slade 66).
Subs Not Used: Bruce.
Booked: Barker.
Nottm Forest: Beasant, Lyttle, Rogers, Cooper, Chettle, Johnson,
Bonalair, Gemmill (Armstrong 71), Van Hooijdonk, Campbell,
Woan (Thomas 56).
Subs Not Used: Moore.
Booked: Campbell.
Goals: Cooper 84.
Att: 13,220
Ref: K A Leach (Wolverhampton).
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