QPR's Stuart Wardley spoiled the celebrations for Vale's on-loan striker
Martin Bullock in a ding-dong affair in which both sides missed chances to claim
victory.
The result did little to ease Vale's relegation fears, but an away draw kept
Rangers in the hunt for a play-off spot.
The contest took a long time to get going, but improved as Vale upped the
tempo.
It took a desperate tackle from Darren Ward to deny Jeff Minton after a
dreadful mistake by Richard Langley almost gifted Vale a 26th-minute opener.
And the home side broke through two minutes later with livewire Bullock, on
loan from Barnsley, netting his first Vale goal.
The tiny midfielder raced on to Gareth Taylor's pass to drive a low shot
beyond the advancing Lee Harper, despite Matt Rose's desperate attempt to
clear.
Vale looked in command, but they were rocked on their heels nine minutes later
when Rangers broke out to equalise.
Home defenders managed to block several shots in a frantic goalmouth scramble,
but could not stop Wardley hammering his 10th League goal of the season
from six yards.
Referee John Kirkby left the field feeling unwell in the 33rd minute and his
senior assistant took charge.
Taylor's right-foot volley from Tony Naylor's flick drifted a foot wide, then
the big striker's header forced a save from Harper as Vale took the initiative
after the break.
But the Rangers backline, well marshalled by Karl Ready, soon regained a tight
hold, forcing Vale boss Brian Horton to go for broke in the 65th minute.
Seven-goal top scorer Tony Rougier replaced Naylor and attacking midfielder
Alex Smith came on for Minton.
But again it was Bullock who posed the most danger as his 16-yard shot drew a
full-length save from Harper in the 80th minute.
Harper was soon outdone at the other end, however, as Wardley's close range
shot from Jermaine Darlington's cross forced a magnificent reaction stop from
Paul Musselwhite.
And Musselwhite saved Vale again three minutes from time when he plunged at
the feet of Chris Kiwomya before Liam Burns booted clear.
Teams
Port Vale: Musselwhite, Talbot (Brisco 85), Burns, Burton,
Tankard, Bullock, Brammer, Widdrington, Minton (Smith 65),
Taylor, Naylor (Rougier 65).
Subs Not Used: Pilkington, Rimmer.
Booked: Taylor, Burton, Widdrington.
Goals: Bullock 28.
QPR: Harper, Darlington, Ward, Rose, Ready, Baraclough,
Peacock, Wardley, Langley (Rowland 76), Slade (Koejoe 76),Kiwomya.
Subs Not Used: Miklosko, Plummer, Kulcsar.
Booked: Langley.
Goals: Wardley 37.
Att: 5,493
Ref: L Higgins (Manchester).
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