Kranjcar goes it alone in Rangers draw

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Watford 0 QPR 0

QPR played without a recognised striker for much of a turgid draw at Vicarage Road.

With Charlie Austin out with a hamstring problem and Bobby Zamora joining Andy Johnson on the bench, Niko Kranjcar was given the unfamiliar role of lone forward.

He made a decent fist of it, missing the target twice before firing inches wide after a nice Rangers move during an opening half-hour in which Harry Redknapp’s side had most of the possession.

The visitors, with Yossi Benayoun making his first start, also went close early in the second half when Matt Phillips’ thunderous drive was pushed over by keeper Manuel Almunia.

Diego Fabbrini missed Watford’s best chance, tamely side-footing straight at keeper Rob Green from 10 yards out.

Perhaps Fabbrini was still feeling the effect of a superb, crunching tackle by Richard Dunne, who denied the Watford striker as he burst into the box in the first half.

Johnson was sent on for the final 20 minutes but was unable to make an impact.

Without a win in three matches, Rangers have dropped to fourth in the Championship.

QPR (4-5-1): Green, Simpson, Onuoha, Dunne, Assou-Ekotto, Barton, Carroll (Johnson 70), Benayoun (O’Neil 72), Phillips, Hoilett (Traore 78) Kranjcar.
Subs not used: Murphy,  Henry, Zamora, Sendles-White.

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