QPR fans chanted their opposition to the proposed merger with Wimbledon as their side played out a dull draw at Wolves in their final match before relegation.

The Londoners, condemned to Second Division football, are now the subject of a controversial link up with the homeless outfit from the other side of the river Thames.

And about 2,000 of their supporters voiced their disapproval at the idea as Rangers, with only one away win this season, at least had the satisfaction of hitting back for a point in the second half.

The goal that earned them a share of the spoils was a beauty, left-winger Paul Bruce curling a tremendous left-foot free-kick round the wall and into the top corner of the net from 25 yards.

The strike came in the 67th minute and was the cue for a spirited late flurry that may well have sentenced Wolves to their second home defeat in a week.

Jermaine Darlington curled a shot narrowly wide of the far post, Andy Thomson brought an awkward save out of Michael Oakes and, in the final six minutes, leading scorer Peter Crouch and central defender Chris Plummer both went close with headers.

But is was Wolves who almost had the last word when the recalled Neil Emblen saw a goal-bound header strike team-mate Adam Proudlock from a Michael Branch corner.

The high spot of another disappointing 90 minutes for Wolves fans, though, was the appearance of Mike Stowell for the last 15 minutes.

The popular keeper is almost certain to be given a free transfer this week after 11 years loyal service to the club and he had the satisfaction of keeping out Crouch's close-range header when a Rangers' winner looked likely.

Wolves, who are about to embark on a major close season spending spree after another unhappy season, went ahead in the 36th minute with their first goal at home in eight hours 31 minutes of actual playing time.

The breakthrough could hardly have been more messy with Emblen heading a chip by Andy Sinton across the area for impressive young defender Jolean Lescott to stick out his right foot and send the ball trickling over the line off the post.

Earlier, Keith Andrews - surprisingly promoted to captain for the first time in place of the unwell Kevin Muscat - had driven a shot narrowly wide from 25 yards while Karl Ready had seen a header nodded off the line by Tony Dinning from Bruce's corner.

Leon Knight also brought a good diving save from Oakes after receiving a short ball from Crouch.

Teams:

Wolverhampton Oakes (Stowell 75), Dinning, Lescott, Connelly, Naylor, Emblen, Proudlock, Andrews, Sinton (Larkin 45), Ketsbaia, Branch.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Robert Taylor, Camara.

Booked: Branch, Proudlock.

Goals: Lescott 36.

QPR Harper, Wardley, Darlington, Ready, Plummer, Baraclough (Higgins 80), McFlynn, Knight (Perry 53), Bruce, Thomson (Bubb 81), Crouch.

Subs Not Used: Bull, Weare.

Booked: Bruce, Ready.

Goals: Bruce 62.

Att: 17,447

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).