Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips grabbed a goal on his first start since
September but his team had to rely on a last-minute header by Niall Quinn to
salvage a point against QPR at Loftus Road.
The game seemed to be in Sunderland's control as they led 1-0 approaching
half-time but a frantic three-minute period just before the break saw the game
turn QPR's way.
First on 42 minutes Ian Baraclough's corner was met by the stooping head of
defender Danny Maddix who put his effort into the corner of the net.
Then in first-half injury time Sunderland skipper Kevin Ball was sent off
after a terrible challenge on Baraclough in the centre circle.
The game, delayed 15 minutes before the start because of crowd congestion,
began well for QPR who could have been in front after just 90 seconds.
Baraclough floated over a corner and Iain Dowie beat keeper Thomas Sorensen
with his header but not Alex Rae, who cleared off the line.
On 13 minutes Kevin Gallen shot across the face of the goal for Rangers, but a
minute later, at the other end, Quinn's header from Lee Clark's cross was
superbly saved by Ludek Miklosko by his left hand post.
Sunderland slowly took control of proceedings and when they snatched the lead
on 32 minutes it was in devastating style.
Rae released Gavin McCann down the left and his cross into the box was met by
Phillips who volleyed it superbly into the roof of the net.
Rangers tried to force their way back and Baraclough fired a free-kick just
over while Karl Ready's header well held by Sorensen before Maddix finally
scored the equaliser.
Ball's dismissal didn't change Sunderland boss Peter Reid's attacking policy
in the second half but he was made to pay on 51 minutes as QPR grabbed the
lead.
Chris Kiwomya stormed down the left and delivered a cross to the far post
where Dowie headed down for Gallen to score from close range.
Sunderland threw caution to the wind in an attempt to get an equaliser,
bringing on Michael Bridges to give them three strikers. But despite some
intense pressure they rarely created the chances to get back into the match.
Quinn headed wide from Rae's free-kick while Phillips was denied by a
last-ditch tackle by Steve Morrow, but Rangers still created chances of their
own and Antti Heinola shot just wide while Kiwomya hit the side netting from
close range.
Right on 90 minutes, Sunderland snatched the equaliser they just about
deserved. Bridges worked an opening down the right hand side of the area and
his cross fell to Quinn who nodded in from just a couple of yards out.
Teams
QPR (1) 2 Sunderland (1) 2
Watford: Chamberlain, Bazeley, Kennedy, Page, Palmer,
Iroha (Bonnot 62), Smart (Mooney 62), Hyde, Noel-Williams,
Johnson, Wright (Daley 62).
Booked: Kennedy.
Portsmouth: Petterson, Robinson, Simpson,
McLoughlin (Hillier 32), Whitbread, Nightingale, Thomson, Peron,
Vlachos, Claridge, Igoe.
Subs Not Used: Andreasson, Thogersen.
Att: 12,057
Ref: R Oliver (Sutton Coldfield).
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