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DEXTER Blackstock secured his third goal against Hull City in three attempts to help Rangers to a creditable draw at the Championship high-flyers.

Blackstock somehow managed to bundle the ball home from close range, which looked another in a string of adverts for goal-line technology. The linesman made his decision with immediate effect, with Rangers on the brink of a memorable win.

Only another last minute goal, this time going against the R`s, was to be their undoing. Ex-Brentford defender Michael Turner popped up in the dying stages to tie the game and snatch two points away from the resilient grasp of the Rangers rearguard.

TEAM NEWS

Rangers made a couple of changes from the side that exerted their own last minute glory against Preston the week preceding. Gareth Ainsworth did enough to earn himself a starting place at the expense of Mikele Leigertwood; whilst Matthew Connolly had to make to with a place on the bench due to the return of Damien Delaney from suspension. The former Tiger was to receive a rousing reception from the home faithful after his six-year stint with the Humberside outfit.

There was still no place in the 16 for Akos Buzsaky owing to an ankle complaint whilst on international duty with Hungary, with forward Angelo Balanta having to make do with a place on the bench.

Phil Brown named an unchanged side from the team who fairly dispatched of Watford a fortnight ago. With his team fully refreshed the only change came to the bench, the ineligible Simon Walton made way for Ryan France due to the terms of his loan agreement with Rangers.

KICK OFF: HULL CITY v QUEENS PARK RANGERS

The game opened with the sides battling for possession, Hull buoyed on by their bumper home crowd were looking to assert an early advantage over the R`s and retained a wealth of the early possession without creating any clear cut chances.

Rangers midfielder Martin Rowlands was orchestrating proceedings from the middle of the park, battling for possession with Gavin Mahon, before distributing wisely and ably to either flank, as the R`s were looking dangerous in spells.

Most of Rangers danger came from the main man, Patrick Agyemang, when the striker latched on to a hopeful pass from Gareth Ainsworth, his touch on the right hand side of the area was sublime, before rifling a shot into the midriff of Hull stopper Boaz Myhill. Agyemang displaying his dangerous credentials to the Hull back-line early in this encounter.

If that was a warning for the Tigers, they evidently were not prepared for what was to come as the R`s took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Hogan Ephraim`s tantalising cross was only half dealt with by Wayne Brown, the ex-Rangers loanee deflected the shot on target, it was well saved by Myhill into the path of Dexter Blackstock. The striker effort came off the post and Sam Ricketts cleared the ball, which was hovering over the line.

With the referee seemingly stumped for a decision, his assistant gave him the information he desired a definite decision in favour of the attacking side. It seemed a tight decision, but the certainty of the official had Hull players and fans alike, up in arms and furious. Nevertheless, a goal that gave Rangers the upper hand.

HULL CITY 0-1 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Rangers were definitely in the ascendancy and only the agility of Boaz Myhill kept the R`s at bay, with Patrick Agyemang having a header clawed away, and a cross come shot by Hogan Ephraim was also palmed away by the American keeper who had to be at his best to keep the promotion contenders in the game.

The referee then made another bold decision as he awarded the Tigers a free-kick on the edge of the Rangers area, for a decision that could have gone either way, it appeared Dean Windass was backing in more that Damion Stewart was climbing, but 50/50 decisions, seemed to employ a coin toss routine from the referee throughout the game. It was Andy Dawson who struck the free-kick, but found Lee Camp once again in scintillating form, tipping over the bar as the ball threatened to dip towards the target.

Hull`s frustration grew louder on 35 minutes when Manchester United loanee, Frazier Campbell, worked his way into the box only for Stewart to scupper the young strikers progress with minimal contact. The striker to his credit never appealed the decision, instead went in search for the ball, with Gavin Mahon on hand to block the follow up effort. Hull's frustration was visible, with manager Phil Brown demanding more of his players on the touchline, and sections of the Hull support roaring their team on.

Nevertheless that was the last action of an eventful first half, City coming into the game a lot more towards the end of the first half, but Rangers defending stoutly and resolutely throughout, to make the game wonderfully poised going into the second period.

HALF TIME: HULL CITY 0-1 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Simon Walton was on the pitch at half time to preside over the half-time draw, he was met with a fairly muted reception from both sides. With away fans yet to see the best of £300k midfielder; and Hull seemingly unhappy with his strong ties to Leeds United.

Two minutes after the interval, referee Mr. Laws, who seemed reluctant to give out cards despite what the foul count will tell you, booked Rangers midfielder Martin Rowlands for a challenge on Richard Garcia, a foul that would ultimately end his afternoon, being replaced by ex-Birmingham City midfielder Bryan Hughes.

Rangers had injury woes of their own, when Dexter Blackstock was brave going into a challenge, he came off worse, after trying in vain to run off the injury he was also withdrawn in favour of Mikele Leigertwood, who played in Akos Buzsaky`s favoured role of just behind the striker, in a bid not to disturb the central pairing.

The R`s were looking to mount some fleeting attacks of their own, playing on the counter-attack as is the norm, Gareth Ainsworth marauded down the right flank, weaving past the attentions of Andy Dawson, but his cross was poorly placed and cleared at the first time of asking at the front post.

With little chances to speak of at either end, it seemed that Rangers were content sitting back and soaking up the pressure, whilst the Tigers, sensing their promotion rivals were also not performing, tried to kick it up a notch. The pressure was beginning to tell, but evidently what Hull lacked was the killer pass and the ruthlessness infront of goal that they have displayed on many previous occasions.

With that in mind, Phil Brown opted to make a second change, this time for tactical reasons. Former Bolton forward Henrik Pedersen was withdrawn from his left-wing role, in place of Caleb Folan, who played as part of a three pronged attack, alongside Frazier Campbell and the ineffectual Dean Windass.

Folan looked to impact on the game with immediate effect, he was already proving a test in the air for Hall and Stewart, before a well executed cross from substitute Hughes was straight onto the head of Folan, who could only glance wide of the far post in a second half bereft of clear cut chances and goal-mouth action.

Rangers sensing their opportunity would be on the break set about their task, and Gavin Mahon found the run of trick winger Hogan Ephraim, he cut inside before drilling a deflected effort, which dipped, but unfortunately for the R`s fans who populated that end, straight into the arms of keeper Myhill.

Dean Windass then had his chance to have an impact on the game, a free kick on the left-hand side of the area. The ground held its breath as the home town striker stepped up right footed, he drilled his effort towards Lee Camp`s far post, with the keeper parrying the powerful effort for a second, before scooping it up at the second attempt.

Frazier Campbell, who was a nuisance throughout tested the Rangers rearguard once more, as he spun and shot in the area, for his shot to hit the side netting. Sections of the ground jumping up in ecstasy before realising the effort was off target, but Hull continued to ask questions of Rangers.

Craig Fagan picked up a booking for a poorly timed challenge on Gareth Ainsworth, to which the winger protested. With Ainsworth charging towards the heart of the Hull defence, Fagan cynically scythed his opposing winger down, all the protests in the world would not have stopped that card from coming out of Mr. Laws` pocket and rightfully so.

Angelo Balanta was brought on in place of Patrick Agyemang, as Rangers knew whatever chances they were going to get would be on the break, and the rejuvenated exuberance and pace of the young striker could have proven a useful asset.

But such is the way of the world after defending quite admirably throughout the 90, the referee signalled 5 minutes of added on time. This indeed was a bridge too far for Rangers, who conspired to concede in the first of those minutes.

Frazier Campbell, continuing to plug away up front, found the run of Caleb Folan down the right, and as simple as a pass into the box found the onrushing Michael Turner, who tapped the ball home to snatch a share of the spoils at the death for the Tigers, whose fans were elated at this leveller.

HULL CITY 1-1 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Sensing an attacking onslaught Rangers then replaced Gareth Ainsworth with Matthew Connolly, but barely a moment later, a heart-stopping moment for Rangers. Attacker Frazier Campbell, found himself unmarked in the six yard year to snatch at the chance and scuff the shot straight into the grateful arms of Lee Camp.

And with that chance went the game, not the most thoroughly entertaining game you will see, such is the Championship this season, but plenty of excellent defensive work from the R`s, who will take heart from a good performance at one of the divisions top sides.

FULL TIME: HULL CITY 1-1 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Rangers Team: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Stewart, Mancienne, Ainsworth (Connolly 90) Blackstock (Leigertwood 56) Rowlands, Agyemang (Balanta 81) Ephraim, Hall.
Unused Subs: Pickens, Lee.