Dexter Blackstock rescued a point for QPR as they made hard work of breaking down 10-man Coventry at Loftus Road.

Blackstock struck three minutes from time to earn the hosts a point against the Sky Blues, who took the lead in the Championship clash when Daniel Fox's free-kick somehow found its way under Radek Cerny.

City looked like taking home the spoils from Loftus Road for the fourth season in a row when Fox netted in the 73rd minute, a goal made even more impressive following Stephen Wright's dismissal for the visitors eight minutes before the break.

The City defender was shown a straight red card for a high lunge on Heidar Helguson but the hosts failed to make enough of their numerical advantage as they struggled to create openings thereafter.

Helguson and Blackstock spurned good chances for the hosts before the latter finally equalised in the dying minutes.

The hosts started brightly and had the first shot in earnest when Helguson, who signed a permanent deal in the week, sent a hooked shot over the bar.

At the other end, Clinton Morrison failed to trouble Cerny with a wild volley which he sent over.

Both sides started to press forward with intent and it was the hosts who almost broke the deadlock in the 16th minute as Helguson drilled a rasping volley just over following Blackstock's knock down.

Wayne Routledge looked the most effective attacking outlet for Rangers and his trickery on the wing was causing the City defence all sorts of problems.

More often than not, though, the former England Under-21 international was hampered by the lack of movement from the strikers who were stifled by the stoic City backline.

A potentially decisive moment in the match came after 37 minutes when Wright was sent off for his challenge on Helguson.

As expected, the Rs held the lion's share of possession after the break, but rather than pushing home their numerical advantage they lacked any initiative going forward and were restricted to long-range efforts.

On the few occasions Rangers did manage to break the City defence, the finish was lacking and Helguson was again guilty of wasting a good chance when he headed straight at Westwood from six yards.

It was then Blackstock's turn to spurn a good opening minutes later as he dragged a shot wide when clean through.

The hosts were then hit by a sucker punch as City took the lead in the 73rd minute totally against the run of play.

Fox curled a vicious free-kick which caught Cerny flatfooted and somehow squirmed in at the front post.

Rangers' persistence paid off, however, and after 87 minutes Blackstock atoned for his earlier miss with a header from close range to ease the frustration of the home fans.

Teams

QPR Cerny, Delaney (Ledesma 73), Connolly, Stewart, Gorkss,Ephraim (Hall 89), Leigertwood (Di Carmine 81), Routledge,Rowlands, Blackstock, Helguson.

Subs Not Used: Mahon, Alberti.

Booked: Routledge, Helguson.

Goals: Blackstock 87.

Coventry Westwood, Wright, Turner, Fox, Gunnarsson, Beuzelin,Doyle, Tabb, Mifsud (Eastwood 84), Morrison, Best (McKenzie 66).

Subs Not Used: Marshall, Thornton, Wynter.

Sent Off: Wright (37).

Booked: Wright, Fox, Gunnarsson, Westwood.

Goals: Fox 73.

Att: 13,330

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).