Dexter denies Sky Blues
Sky Blues suffer late heartbreak
Last Updated: January 10, 2009 5:32pm
Blackstock: Late leveller
Dexter Blackstock's late goal earned QPR a 1-1 draw with 10-man Coventry at Loftus Road.
Coventry looked to be heading for all three points courtesy of Daniel Fox's free-kick opener until Blackstock struck three minutes from time.
Stephen Wright was sent-off for Coventry eight minutes before the break for a wild lunge on Heidar Helguson.
The hosts started brightly and had the first shot in earnest when Helguson, who signed a permanent deal in the week, sent a hooked shot over the bar.
At the other end, Clinton Morrison failed to trouble Radek Cerny with a wild volley which he sent over.
Both sides started to press forward with intent and it was the hosts who almost broke the deadlock in the 16th minute as Helguson drilled a rasping volley just over following Blackstock's knock down.
Wayne Routledge looked the most effective attacking outlet for Rangers and his trickery on the wing was causing the City defence all sorts of problems.
More often than not, though, the former England Under 21 international was hampered by the lack of movement from the R's strikers who were stifled out by the stoic City backline.
Dismissal
A potentially decisive moment in the match came after 37 minutes when Wright was sent off for his challenge on Helguson.As expected, the R's held the lion's share of possession after the break, but rather than pushing home their numerical advantage they lacked any initiative going forward and were restricted to long-range efforts.
On the few occasions Rangers did manage to break the City defence, the finish was lacking and Helguson was again guilty of wasting a good chance when he headed straight at Westwood from six yards.
It was then Blackstock's turn to spurn a good opening minutes later as he dragged a shot wide when clean through.
The hosts were then hit by a sucker punch as City took the lead in the 73rd minute totally against the run of play.
Fox curled a vicious free-kick which caught Cerny flatfooted and somehow squirmed in at the front post.
Rangers' persistence paid off, however, and after 87 minutes Blackstock atoned for his earlier miss with a header from close range to ease the frustration of the home fans.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Dexter Blackstock
Danny Fox
