Promotion-chasing Watford came from behind with a stirring second-half fightback to salvage a point against relegation-haunted QPR at Loftus Road.

New Rangers' boss Ian Holloway had made five changes following Saturday's dismal home defeat against Sheffield United and it looked to have paid dividends when they took a deserved, but controversial lead just after the break.

On 50 minutes Rangers' giant striker Peter Crouch burst into the box only to be felled by Nigel Gibbs leaving referee Andy D'Urso little option but to point to the spot.

However, Gavin Peacock's penalty was brilliantly saved Espen Baardsen only for the referee to order a re-take for encroachment.

This time former Watford striker Michel Ngonge stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way.

QPR had controlled the first half with winger Tony Scully, making his first start of the season, looking particularly dangerous.

In the very first minute he cut in from the right to let fly from 20 yards with a shot which Baardsen could only gather at the second attempt, then on 11 minutes he latched on to Crouch's flick-header, but looped his volley over.

Recalled QPR keeper Lee Harper was at his best after just four minutes when Allan Nielsen put Smith in the clear. As the striker moved in on goal, Harper raced out to save brilliantly at his feet.

He made smart saves from Tommy Mooney and Peter Kennedy in the first-half, but for the rest of the time it was QPR calling the shots.

Peacock shot over on 25 minutes when well placed while Crouch hit a goal-bound shot which was deflected inches wide by a Watford defender.

The Hornets posed more of a menace after the break and they went close on 47 minutes when Smith was able to hold off the challenge of Karl Ready in the box to turn and shoot only for Harper to palm the ball away.

Ngonge's penalty signalled QPR's best period of the game with Jermaine Darlington causing havoc on the left, but they just could not get that vital second goal.

Darlington beat two defenders to force a superb save from Baardsen on 52 minutes and he was at it again twice more to set up Crouch in the box, only for the striker to waste the opportunities.

Watford's equaliser came out of the blue, but from that point it was the Hornets who looked likely to grab a winner as they laid siege to the QPR goal.

On 66 minutes, Tommy Smith stormed down the left before delivering a perfect cross to the head of Nielsen, who glanced the ball into the corner.

The Hornets sensed a victory was there for the taking and Nordin Wooter forced a good save from Harper on 77 minutes, while Mooney headed substitute Neil Cox's deep cross inches wide with the keeper beaten.

Cox came closest of all in the final minute as his 25-yard free-kick hit the post.

But Rangers held firm and they were even buoyed at the end with the arrival of defender Danny Maddix, who came on in injury time for his first appearance in two years after a career-threatening knee injury.