QPR held but go sixth

Buzsaky and Ambrose net penalties in stalemate

Last updated: 3rd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

QPR held but go sixth

Buzsaky: Scored opener

Related links

Teams

Also see

QPR moved into the last Championship play-off berth after being held to a 1-1 derby draw by Crystal Palace at Loftus Road.

Akos Buzsaky put Jim Magilton's side into the lead on 19th minutes via the penalty spot after Danny Butterfield fouled Adel Taarabt in the box - his third spot-kick in five games.

But Darren Ambrose equalised in the 62nd minute for the Eagles - also from the penalty spot - after substitute Freddie Sears was fouled by Fitz Hall.

Some fine goalkeeping from Julian Speroni late on then ensured the hosts missed the chance to move up to fifth as the derby between the Championship's only two London sides ended all square.

But Magilton's side still moved up to six in the table on goal difference, while Palace stay in 13th.

Rangers had five ex-Palace players in their starting line-up but this was no case of friends reunited as the no-nonsense visitors harried and hassled their high-flying opponents.

Booed

One of the old boys, Wayne Routledge, is still booed by the Eagles fans over his move to Tottenham more than four years ago.

But the winger had a chance to silence the jeers in the opening three minutes only to see his shot blocked by Speroni.

Palace were clearly in no mood to give Rangers' twinkle-toed attackers, who had hit 13 goals in their last four games, the room to enjoy themselves.

But when tricky winger Taarabt did make it into the opposition penalty area after 19 minutes, his sharp turn was too quick for Eagles defender Butterfield who took his legs away.

Referee Mick Russell pointed to the spot and Buzsaky sent Speroni the wrong way.

But Palace showed they can play a bit too on the half-hour mark when Neil Danns fed Ambrose, whose cross was turned onto a post by Stern John.

Moments later Rangers failed to deal with Ambrose's corner and an almighty scramble ended when Alessane N'Diaye's volley hit Buzsaky on the goal-line.

Routledge fluffed a superb chance to double Rangers' lead when he fired wide when one-on-one with Speroni, who also saved well from Jay Simpson before the break.

Second half

In the second half Danns volleyed over for Palace while Speroni pulled off a fine save from Alejandro Faurlin's drive.

Taarabt almost grabbed a second for Rangers when he chipped Speroni but Clint Hill cleared the ball from under the crossbar - and moments later Palace were level.

Hall clumsily brought down substitute Sears and Ambrose made no mistake from the spot to score his ninth goal of the season for the Eagles.

Both teams had chances to win it, but Radek Cerny got down well to keep out Alan Lee's header and Speroni superbly clawed away Buzsaky's curling free-kick and Rowan Vine's late volley.