Source: Team_Talk
Samba header denies Rangers
Chris Samba's towering header helped beleaguered Blackburn secure a 1-1 draw at QPR - but results elsewhere left Rovers bottom of the table.[LNB] Rangers came into the match on the back of a 6-0 defeat at near neighbours Fulham but responded well, dominating the majority of the first period.[LNB]QPR's early momentum paid dividends as they took the lead in the 16th minute through Heidar Helguson's deft cross-shot.[LNB]The striker's goal was the west Londoners' first at Loftus Road this season, but their joy was short-lived as Samba latched on to Jason Lowe's corner to put Kean's side level.[LNB]Both sides wasted chances to win the match in the second half, with results elsewhere putting Blackburn bottom of the league despite ending a two-match losing streak.[LNB]Jamie Mackie was named in the QPR starting line-up for the first time since suffering a double leg break against the same opponents. The 26-year-old was injured in a collision with Gael Givet in an FA Cup tie in January.[LNB]Mackie was one of three changes made by manager Neil Warnock, with Helguson and Armand Traore also included in the side.[LNB]Blackburn made three changes to the side that lost 4-0 to Manchester City, drafting in Jason Roberts, Michel Salgado and Martin Olsson.[LNB]QPR pressed from the off and, after Helguson came close to connecting with Traore's left-wing cross, Alejandro Faurlin blazed a long-range drive over.[LNB]Blackburn had a chance of their own at the other end in the 13th minute when Anton Ferdinand shinned an Olsson cross just over, before QPR broke the deadlock three minutes later.[LNB]After Helguson saw a header accidentally blocked by Rangers skipper Joey Barton, the 34-year-old coolly chipped over a cross from the right that snuck in at the back post.[LNB]QPR came close to doubling their lead moments later when Barton's driven ball almost found an unmarked Helguson.[LNB]However, the tide began to turn soon afterwards and, after Olsson saw a free-kick hit the wall, Rovers levelled eight minutes after falling behind.[LNB]While struggling to dominate possession, Blackburn looked dangerous from set-pieces and equalised when Samba headed home Lowe's corner.[LNB]The Rovers skipper was back marshalling the defence shortly after as QPR went on the attack once more, with Shaun Wright-Phillips coming close with a fizzing 25-yard effort.[LNB]At the other end, an Olsson cross almost picked out Junior Hoilett, who then had a shot cleared off the line by Ferdinand after jinking past Shaun Derry and Barton.[LNB]Neither side managed to get a foothold on play in the opening 10 minutes of the second period, with the only moment of note a booking for Blackburn's Steven Nzonzi.[LNB]Fitz Hall produced a superb block to thwart a run by the ever-impressive Olsson as the match began to liven up once again, with most of the play in the Rovers half.[LNB]Blackburn looked content to counter-attack and allowed QPR to boss possession, although they struggled to eke out any chances.[LNB]Wright-Phillips and Traore were booked as frustrations got the better of QPR, who replaced Mackie with talisman Adel Taarabt shortly afterwards.[LNB]The Hoops looked lively after the Morocco international's introduction, although he was guilty of a heinous miss on his 100th league appearance for the club.[LNB]Wright-Phillips headed Taarabt through on goal but he somehow managed to skew a left-footed shot wide when the goal beckoned.[LNB]Taarabt mishit another shot in the 76th minute, before Lowe was booked for a nasty-looking challenge on Faurlin.[LNB]QPR upped the ante in search of a late winner with the clock winding down.[LNB]Taarabt had a penalty shout turned down after a challenge by Salgado with six minutes remaining, which came inbetween two poor headers from Hall.[LNB]QPR continued to press for a deciding goal but it was Blackburn who almost grabbed victory in the dying seconds, with Paddy Kenny forced to save Olsson's shot in stoppage time.
