Last-gasp goal crushes QPR’s survival hopes

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QPR 1 Wigan 1

QPR look all but relegated after Shaun Maloney’s last-gasp free-kick denied them victory in dramatic fashion.

Down to 10 men following the 20th-minute sending-off of Bobby Zamora, Rangers went ahead through Loic Remy’s brilliant strike with five minutes remaining.

But only seconds from the final whistle, Maloney equalised to nudge Harry Redknapp’s side closer to the Championship.

Desperately needing to beat their fellow strugglers to boost their dwindling chances of avoiding the drop, Rangers were dealt a major blow when Zamora was red-carded after clipping Jordi Gomez’s head with a dangerously high challenge.

Rangers had been on top and were unfortunate not to go ahead with a cracking 20-yard effort from Remy, which struck the post.

But they battled on and were rewarded when Remy belted home from near the edge of the penalty area after being set up by Stephane Mbia.

It looked like giving them three potentially crucial points, but Maloney had the final word.

Rangers inevitably lost momentum after their target man’s dismissal and Wigan enjoyed a long spell of possession, with Callum McManaman having a low shot saved by Julio Cesar and Maloney firing wide.

However, the R’s still posed an attacking threat, particularly after Adel Taarabt replaced Junior Hoilett early in the second half.

And they almost broke the deadlock when Remy headed narrowly wide following Taarabt’s fine cross with the outside of his right boot.

Substitute James McArthur missed a late chance for Wigan when he headed straight at Cesar after being picked out by Maloney.

It looked like proving to be a costly miss for the visitors, who were undone by a counter-attack following a free-kick.

Mbia pounced on the loose ball and galloped into the opposing half before finding Remy, who sent a glorious shot beyond keeper Joel Robles and into the corner of the net.

But Maloney’s equaliser leaves Rangers seven points adrift of 17th place – effectively eight because of Sunderland’s superior goal difference – with only six matches left to play.

QPR:Cesar; Bosingwa, Samba, Hill, Traore (Onuoha 45); Townsend, Mbia, Jenas, Hoilett (Taarabt 56); Zamora, Remy (Mackie 88).
Subs not used: Green, Park, Granero, Ben Haim.

 

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