Bailey brace denies QPR

Bailey: Vital brace

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Struggling Charlton twice came from behind to earn a point against QPR at The Valley with Nicky Bailey bagging a brace.

Lee Cook and Dexter Blackstock twice put Paulo Sousa's visitors in front as they looked for their first win on the road since September.

Bailey restored parity for the first time just after the break and then found the net again 11 minutes from time to secure a draw.

In a dramatic finish, Rangers substitute Emmanuel Ledesma thought he had hit the winner but his effort was ruled out.

Despite a gutsy display the Addicks, who kicked off second from bottom, are now without a victory in 15 attempts and just one away from equalling an unwanted club record of 16 winless games, set back in 1955.

Sousa, mindful of the fact his side had previously scored just three goals on their travels all season, made a bold six changes from the side which beat Preston at home on Saturday.

But despite the reshuffled line-up the visitors went ahead in the 18th minute after Hameur Bouazza was penalised for a high foot on the edge of the area.

Cook stepped up to curl the free-kick over the wall and beyond Rob Elliot for his first goal since returning to the Hoops in the summer.

Transformed

Charlton could have fallen further behind before the break, but Elliot made a superb reaction save from Samuel Di Carmine's close-range effort and also kept out Blackstock's header.

The hosts trooped off at the break to the familiar sound of boos from the home faithful, but the atmosphere at The Valley was transformed four minutes into the second half thanks to Bailey's leveller.

Lloyd Sam managed a rare foray down the right and swung in a cross which was met by Bailey at the near post with a header which flew past Radek Cerny and into the net.

It was Charlton's first effort on target, but the hosts were visibly lifted and began to dominate proceedings.

However, they were unable to make their pressure pay and were undone in the 68th minute when Blackstock collected Mikele Leigertwood's pass inside the area, turned and fired past Elliot for his 11th goal of the season.

But to Charlton's credit, they did not buckle and instead Bailey dragged them level for a second time, tucking the ball into an empty net following a defensive mix-up.

Sam sent a header agonisingly wide as Charlton looked to bring an end to their dismal run of results.

But it was Rangers who came closest to snatching the win after Heidar Helguson rattled the crossbar and fellow sub Ledesma's follow-up was chalked off for an infringement in the area.