An inspired double substitution by manager Ray Harford earned QPR a deserved
replay in an exciting FA Cup third round tie at Loftus Road today.
Rangers, despite having most of the play, were trailing 2-1 after 73 minutes
when Harford brought on strikers Kevin Gallen and Steve Slade and the move
brought almost immediate success for the newcomers.
Gavin Peacock crossed from the left and Slade headed the ball back to Gallen,
who headed home from close range just 90 seconds after coming onto the field.
Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson could hardly complain for Rangers went
ahead after five minutes through John Spencer, dominated the first half hour and
were slightly the better team in the second half.
Boro, beaten by Chelsea in the final last year, were always dangerous on the
counter-attack, however, and Craig Hignett, after 32 minutes, and Robbie Mustoe,
after 63 minutes, scored to give themselves visions of another trip to Wembley.
England coach Glenn Hoddle was an interested spectator as Rangers opened with
a rush. Rufus Brevett had a shot tipped over the bar in the opening seconds and
Mike Sheron shot wide after only two minutes.
Then came the Rangers' first goal as Nigel Quashie sent Spencer away and the
dapper Scottish international raced into the box to easily beat the advancing
Mark Schwarzer.
Rangers might easily have added to their lead in the next 20 minutes with
Quashie shooting just wide from a freekick and Sheron forcing Schwarzer into a
fine save.
So it came as a shock when Middlesbrough equalised in the 32nd minute. There
seemed little to trouble Rangers as the ball bobbled across their penalty area
but Hignett darted forward and shot past two defenders and beat Roberts, who got
a hand to the ball but could not hold it.
From this point Middlesbrough came more into the game with Bolivian
international Jamie Moreno and former Arsenal star Paul Merson prominent.
Middlesbrough brought on Danish international Mikkel Beck for Phil Stamp in
the second half but it was Rangers who continued to do most of the attacking
with Sheron twice testing Schwarzer with sharp shots.
Yet, after 63 minutes Middlesbrough again frustrated the home crowd by going
ahead with a simple goal.
Moreno rounded Brevett near the right corner flank and his low cross was
side-footed into the net from almost point-blank range by Mustoe.
But then came the double substitution and Rangers finished the match on a high
note though Merson had the final effort for Middlesbrough with a long shot that
flashed inches wide.
Teams
QPR: Roberts, Yates, Brevett, Quashie, Maddix, Ready,
Spencer (Slade 73), Peacock, Murray, Sheron (Gallen 73),
Sinclair.
Subs Not Used: Barker, Harper, Perry.
Booked: Sinclair.
Goals: Spencer 6, Gallen 75.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Maddison, Kinder, Vickers, Pearson,
Mustoe, Hignett, Townsend, Moreno, Merson, Stamp (Beck 45).
Subs Not Used: Liddle, Baker, Harrison, Campbell.
Goals: Hignett 33, Mustoe 63.
Att: 13,379
Ref: P A Durkin (Portland).
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