Madine’s right on the spot after a slice of ref justice
GARY MADINE bagged a precious equaliser as Blackpool earned a well-deserved Championship point against QPR.
Midfielder Chris Willock fired the visitors into a 26th-minute lead against the run of play with his third league goal of the season.
But striker Madine levelled from the penalty spot nine minutes after the break.
QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng felled midfielder Jordan Gabriel in the area and Madine claimed his second goal of the season.
However, it could so easily have been a victory for the Seasiders who had a Madine goal ruled out for offside in the sixth minute of a decent contest. He prodded home from
Kenny Dougall’s header but ref Josh Smith harshly chalked it off.
Home boss Neil Critchley made four changes from Wednesday night’s
1-0 defeat to Stoke. On-loan Crewe forward Owen Dale was handed his first start while Madine replaced fellow centre-forward Jerry Yates.
Injured central defender Richard Keogh missed out and Reece James got a chance in his place while Josh Bowler returned too.
QPR manager Mark Warburton opted for two changes to his team which claimed a
1-0 midweek away win over Cardiff.
Skipper Stefan Johansen was sidelined with illness and Watford loan striker Andre Gray also missed out.
That allowed Willock the chance to shine while Luke Amos made the starting XI as well.
The home side started the brighter and Madine thought he had given them the lead only to see his effort chalked off.
Dougall had a good chance just a minute after Madine’s big disappointment but his shot was blocked as Blackpool forced the pace in front of a crowd of 11,769.
Then Rangers took a surprise lead with the first shot of the half.
Gabriel was guilty of letting Willock cut inside on his right foot and his sweet curler flew into the far-right corner.
James Husband headed the ball over from close range just before the break as the hosts came close to an equaliser.
But they were back on level terms early in the second half and it was Madine who had the ball in the back of the net for a second time – only this time his fine finish from 12 yards was not ruled out.
The striker rifled the ball into the bottom left-hand corner for his second goal in the last four games.
Madine fired an effort wide with a left-footed shot shortly after the hour mark and substitute Sonny Carey struck the outside of the right upright with a fierce strike.
However, the hosts had to settle for a hard-earned point as they stayed within touching distance of the play-offs.
BLACKPOOL: Grimshaw 6; LawrenceGabriel 6, Ekpiteta 6, Husband 6, James 6; Bowler 6 (Mitchell 79th), Wintle 6, Dougall 7, Dale 6 (Carey
(73rd) 6); Anderson 6, Madine 8
QPR: Dieng 5; Dickie 6, Dunne 6, Barbet 6; Adomah 6, Amos 6 (Austin
(73rd) 6), Dozzell 6, Odubajo 6 (Kakay
(46th) 6; Chair 6, Willock 7 (Ball (73rd)
6); Dykes 6
STAR MAN: Gary Madine
REF: J Smith