Portsmouth vs Queens Park Rangers. The FA Cup Fourth Round.
Fratton ParkAttendance19,378.
Saturday 26 January 2019 17:52, UK
Nahki Wells rescued QPR from FA Cup elimination at the hands of Portsmouth as the Championship side came from behind to draw 1-1 at a sold-out Fratton Park.
Pompey took the lead in comical fashion in the 63rd minute when Rangers defender Joel Lynch sliced a Lee Brown cross into his own net.
But Wells ensured a pulsating fourth-round tie went to a replay when he crashed home from close range 11 minutes later after Luke Freeman's corner had caused panic in the home defence.
Rangers made the better start and Pompey goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray was called into action for the first time when Darnell Furlong flicked a header into his arms after ghosting in at the near post to meet Freeman's corner.
It took until the 28th minute for Steve McClaren's side to create their first meaningful chance - Freeman floating in a free-kick from the left only for an unmarked Lynch to head tamely into the gloves of a grateful MacGillivray from eight yards.
Pompey captain Brett Pitman did have the ball in the net moments later but the goal was ruled out after referee Gavin Ward spotted a foul on Rangers defender Toni Leistner.
The south coast side almost took the lead on the brink of half-time when Louis Dennis' dipping 20-yard volley was acrobatically tipped over the crossbar by Joe Lumley, and Pompey had another great chance four minutes after the restart, but Dennis could only lift his shot over the bar with just a helpless Lumley to beat.
Kenny Jackett's men did take the lead in fortuitous fashion three minutes past the hour mark - Republic of Ireland winger Ronan Curtis rolled the ball forward for the overlapping Brown down the left and his cross was turned into his own net by the hapless Lynch.
But Rangers hit back when Wells found the roof of the net to claim his seventh goal of the season, prompting a melee between both sets of players that saw three booked, and despite an open conclusion to the game, neither side could find a winner.
