QPR’S 22-YEAR WAIT IS OVER
STEVE McCLAREN hailed QPR’s first FA Cup win without a replay since Trevor Sinclair’s wonder volley in 1997 as they downed Leeds 2-1.
The former England boss lost his opening four Championship games at the cash-strapped club.
But his side extended their unbeaten run to six with an entertaining win over the league leaders to show the progress he has made – and his old cup magic.
McClaren, who won the League Cup and reached the UEFA Cup Final with Middlesbrough, said: “In the last few weeks we have created history by beating Nottingham Forest for the first time in 85 years or whatever and today we are in the fourth round for the first time in a long time.
“It was a fantastic performance. It was a great game of football.”
QPR have lost a record 49 times in the third round – including the last five years – with the memory of Sinclair’s overhead kick in the 3-2 win over Barnsley all they could cling to for Cup joy.
But they took the lead from an Aramide Oteh penalty after Leif Davis had tripped Jake Bidwell.
The lead lasted only two minutes when QPR keeper Matt Ingram fumbled a Lewis Baker free-kick and Aapo Halme tapped home.
The Finnish centre-back was hooked at half-time in a “tactical change” and Ingram made amends with a series of fine saves before Bidwell headed home the 75th-minute winner.
Woking gaffer Alan Dowson praised his players despite their 2-0 loss to Watford and claimed he’ll buy himself a new kettle with the cash windfall. The non-league side stand to make £150,000 from their FA Cup run but the Hornets ended their dreams of an upset as substitute Troy Deeney clinched victory for the Premier League side.
Dowson, whose side are pushing for promotion in National League South, said: “Don’t let anyone tell you the FA Cup is dead. I feel very honoured to be manager here.
“It’s money we can’t dream off.
“I’ll be able to get a new kettle for my office because at the moment I have to walk about 20 miles for a cup of tea – it took three months to get a heater.
“But we will be sticking with these players for the time being.”
Watford talisman Deeney sealed the win, after Will Hughes had hit the opener, with his first touch after coming on as a substitute.
Elsewhere, Doncaster were 2-1 winners at Preston with Tom Anderson scrambling home the winner in 72 minute.
League One Rovers led through John Marquis’ early header but Andrew Hughes levelled 10 minutes into the second half from Paul Gallagher’s corner before Anderson stole it.
Substitute Shane Ferguson scored twice in four minutes late on as Millwall came from behind to beat Hull 2-1.
Jon Toral had put the Tigers in front with a fine finish from Nouha Dicko’s cross seven minutes into the second half.
But Northern Ireland winger Ferguson curled in an equaliser in the 82nd minute then followed up with a fierce winner.