GREAT SCOTT SHOCKS QPR
Late Cardiff scorcher denies Ramsey’s men
SCOTT MALONE belted in a lastminute equaliser as Cardiff gamely fought back to earn a share of the honours after being 2-0 down.
Relegated Rangers appeared to be coasting towards their first Championship win after Charlie Austin added to Clint Hill’s opener.
But Sean Morrison pulled one back with a header before Malone beat goalkeeper Rob Green with a brilliant left-footed shot from 25 yards.
Chris Ramsey’s men went ahead when Hill headed in from Matt Phillips’ corner in the 33rd minute.
That opener came somewhat against the run of play, after Green had produced two near-post saves, stopping good shots from Malone and Joe Mason.
Cardiff also threatened through Anthony Pilkington who was very close to scoring following Joe Ralls’s cross.
QPR’s controversial second goal 11 minutes into the second half was set up by Ben Gladwin who flicked the ball on from a corner kick and, after Hill appeared to use his arm to nudge the ball towards Austin, the striker was able to bundle it home from close range.
Cardiff themselves scored their first goal from a corner when Peter Whittingham swung the ball towards the penalty spot and Morrison headed in.
Malone then completed the stirring comeback with a powerful shot from near the left-hand edge of the penalty area after collecting another pass from Ralls.
At the other end, Austin, who has been linked with several top-flight clubs this summer, would have scored a third had former QPR man Matthew Connolly not cleared off the line after Massimo Luongo pulled the ball back from the right.
Phillips was then thwarted by another save from goalkeeper Simon Moore after finding himself through on goal when James Perch’s long ball was headed on to him by Luongo.
Mason wasted a glorious chance when he managed to escape Rangers’ Nedum Onuoha only to poke the ball tamely at Green.
And Jay Emmanuel-Thomas squandered an opportunity when he dragged a shot wide after being put through by substitute Sebastian Polter.
Cardiff will feel they justified a draw, especially after Rangers’ debatable second goal.