Mistakes cost both QPR and Middlesbrough who share the spoils on a night of drama

Queens Park Rangers 2 Middlesbrough 2

By Julian Taylor

Promotion chasing QPR were forced to share the spoils with Middlesbrough on a night characterised by costly mistakes.

The R’s were controlling events at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, with a 2-1 advantage, before veteran Albert Adomah could only manage to deflect the ball into his own net to give Boro what transpired to be a vital point.

The stalemate means QPR remain fourth in the Championship and, in truth, a point each was the fairest outcome. Calamitous Boro keeper Joe Lumley gifted Chris Willock a goal at the start of the second half, after an opening period which saw a terrific goal by the hosts’ Ilias Chair cancelled out by Dael Fry.

QPR’s threat on the night was mainly sporadic - and they lacked the consistency and verve of previous performances this term. Boss Mark Warburton will justifiably expect more from his men away to bottom club Barnsley on Saturday.

If results elsewhere involving promotion rivals Blackburn Rovers and Bournemouth went favourably, then there was a real prospect of the R’s moving tantalisingly into second place, behind west London rivals Fulham. That in itself would represent a real statement of intent, with 18 games remaining in what is now the usual, compelling and high wire act, with a number of teams desperately aiming for promotion to the Premier League. That objective remains elusive for the moment at least.

Although the FA Cup is not exactly high on the list of priorities for Warburton, this game was coming on the back of a disappointing exit in the competition at the weekend to Peterborough United, despite a decent, if unrewarding, performance. Warburton rested Willock, Sam Field and Yoann Barbet on Saturday: choices which ultimately backfired - but they were all back in tonight’s starting line up.

Middlesbrough, meanwhile, arrived in the capital in good form, having won five out of their last six Championship outings, as well as famously knocking Manchester United out of the FA Cup in a dramatic penalty shoot out at Old Trafford last week.

Frenetic

There were frenetic exchanges early on, but it took until the 15th minute for the first genuine scoring opportunity. Goalkeeper David Marshall, QPR’s recent signing, did remarkably well to deny a close range header from Boro striker Andraz Sporar.

That seemed to act as a spur to the west Londoners who almost went ahead themselves three minutes later – Chair burst through the spacious Boro backline only to fire a crisp, low left foot shot inches past the post. It was the precursor of what was an illuminating moment to follow with the opening goal of the evening.

With the R’s beginning to settle into a rhythm, in the 29th minute, Willock picked up possession on the right. His square pass over to an unmarked Chair 22 yards out gave the impish Moroccan time to compose himself before curling a superb right foot shot past the agonised reach of Middlesbrough keeper – and ex-QPR man – Lumley.

Rangers were in no real trouble at all for the remainder of the half – until they conceded an unfortunate and ill-timed equaliser a minute before the interval. Boro were afforded a slice of good fortune which they took instinctively.

R’s rocked

From just outside a congested penalty area, captain Jonny Howson drove a shot goal ward which was deflected kindly into the path of foraging centre half Fry, who managed to elude the desperate challenge of Jimmy Dunne before firing low into the corner of the net, leaving Marshall with no chance. The R’s were rocked and in context, it was a little unfortunate, given their endeavours for most of the opening 45 minutes.

Any sense of frustration was soon swept away, thanks to the bizarre contribution of Lumley.

Straight from the kick off to start the second half, there appeared to be no danger whatsoever when the keeper received a basic back pass from Anfernee Dijksteel. However, his tame attempt at redistribution fell straight to the feet of a surprised Willock who had the easiest of tasks to plant the ball into the exposed Boro net.

It was a damning, cruel twist of fate for Lumley, who made 77 top team appearances for QPR. Nevertheless the Teessiders – and Sporar in particular - responded positively to the blow. The Boro attacker saw a fizzing 20 yard drive saved well by Marshall, before he cracked the ball off the R’s crossbar in the 52nd minute from a tricky angle.

Adomah anguish

More drama ensued. Middlesbrough earned a slab of good fortune of their own, when they equalised again on the hour mark. Isaiah Jones, who had been leading the Boro revival on the right side in the second half with his threat and close control, nutmegged Lee Wallace before bursting into the QPR penalty area. And an anguished Adomah could only manage to turn a fierce low cross by the midfielder into his own net from six yards out.

With events ebbing and flowing, it was Chris Wilder’s visitors who then began to take over, pressing and cajoling with QPR – psychologically flummoxed after Adomah’s regrettable intervention - forced into defending rather desperately in the latter stages.

What would have been a dramatic winner prove to be beyond either side and QPR fans departed with a genuine sense of frustration. More intrigue is sure to stalk the west London side as the promotion hunt intensifies.

R's: Marshall, Wallace (Odubajo 77), Dickie, Barbet, Johansen (Gray 68), Dykes, Chair (Hendrick 61), Field, Dunne, WIllock, Adomah