Source: Team_Talk
Strachan grateful to get spot-kicks
Two well-taken spot-kicks by Barry Robson blasted Boro back into play-off contention after an otherwise stuttering victory over the R's at the Riverside Stadium.[LNB]The double came in the five minutes before the break and gave hard-working Boro control but they were left holding on desperately in the second half as QPR piled on the pressure.[LNB]Boro boss Gordon Strachan admitted the penalties had swung the game his way.[LNB]"Until the penalties, it was a nothing game," he said.[LNB]"I was happy with the points and I was happy with the attitude but it wasn't a great game.[LNB]"We worked hard but the game was a bit frantic at times. Maybe some of them tried to work too hard. They were enthusiastic, maybe too enthusiastic but that is not a bad problem to have.[LNB]"The penalties turned the game though. There was no question over them and even their people admitted that. And I thought maybe we could have had one before that too for an incredible handball that somehow wasn't spotted.[LNB]"But I think we worked hard and deserved that result. We have worked hard over the past few games and maybe not got what we deserved.[LNB]"As for the play-offs we are still in there with a chance and in that respect today was a huge result for us.[LNB]"The last few weeks have been a great test of our character and we have come through that test and are still in with a shout."[LNB]Mick Harford, QPR interim boss, blasted his own side for giving away "silly" goals but insisted his side should have got something from the game.[LNB]"We should have had a penalty before Boro go theirs when Lee Cook was brought down," he said. "And we had chances after that too.[LNB]"I can't argue with the penalties Boro got. I didn't see the first but the second was pretty blatant and quite stupid really. He's just pulled him back.[LNB]"It is things like that that are costing us, silly goals. We started well and dominated possession for long spells, especially in the second half but I think we needed to get a goal back early on after the interval.[LNB]"I can't fault the work-rate or commitment of the players throughout and we did well for most of the game but I am sick of saying it, we have given away silly goals.[LNB]"I've told them that the work-rate, the attitude, the effort is great and they are playing well but so long as we are gifting silly goals we will get nowhere and yes, we are looking over our shoulder at relegation.[LNB]"We need to start playing poorly but winning because at the moment we are playing well and getting beat and that can't go on."[LNB]Harford refused to be drawn on speculation over his own position and the prospect of Neil Warnock arriving as new QPR boss but said: "If results had been as good as performances in recent weeks then maybe I would have had a better chance of a permanent crack at this job."[LNB]After a bright spell Boro's breakthrough came from the spot on 40 minutes as Robson slammed home a sizzler after Rangers defender Peter Ramage had chopped down Jeremie Aliadiere as he burst free into the box.[LNB]And Robson hammered home a second penalty in first half stoppage time after Kaspars Gorkss hauled back Leroy Lita as he burst forward on to a Kyle Naughton chip.[LNB]But before then both sides had strong shouts for penalties waved away.[LNB]Rangers were appealing on eight minutes as Mikele Leigertwood slotted a ball into the box for the lively Lee Cook and as he shaped to shoot he was bundled over by a David Wheater challenge.[LNB]And Boro were screaming for a penalty on 20 minutes after a Gary O'Neil free-kick into the Rangers box appeared to be punched clear by Gorkss.[LNB]Both sides had goals ruled out for marginal offsides while QPR twice hit the woodwork.[LNB][LNB]
