And Match Report from the QPR Official Site Stoke City vs QPR 1 - 2
Date: 03/12/2005 Venue: Britannia Stadium
Attendance: 15,367 Referee: Andre Marriner
Richard Langley's second half penalty earned the Superhoops all three points at the Britannia Stadium. Furlong had given the away side an early lead only to see Bangoura level proceedings.
Stoke played the majority of the second half with 10 men after Halls was sent off for the penalty incident, but nothing can be taken away from Rangers as they secured an excellent win.
Rangers made two changes from the team that drew with Hull City.Stefan Moore replaced the injured Kevin Gallen and Marcus Bean came in for Ian Evatt.
Milanese joined skipper Dan Shittu in the centre of defence and Lloyd Dyer moved back to left-back.
With the first attack on the game Paul Furlong put the Superhoops 1-0 up.Dan Shittu shot from range, his shot was blocked at the edge of the area and Paul Furlong blasted home with his right boot from eight yards.
Dave Brammer was booked for a late tackle on Richard Langley after 10 minutes as Rangers frustrated the home side.
Rangers were close to making it 2-0 when Furlong's through ball was just too far ahead of Gareth Ainsworth and Simonsen in the Stoke goal raced out of his box to clear.
Royce was at full stretch after 14 minutes after Chadwick's deep cross evaded the away defence. Royce palmed it away from danger as Stoke looked to get a foothold in the game.
Former Rangers target Mamady Sidibe burst down the right on 18 minutes, his pace taking him away from Lloyd Dyer but his cross was blasted away by Dan Shittu.
Bangoura completely misjudged a header on 19 minutes. Stokes pacy hitman was unmarked six yards from goal but his header was wayward.
Milanese was booked after 22 minutes as the home crowd grew louder and more agitated.
Stoke drew level under controversial circumstances after 25 minutes. Richard Langley gave away a free kick after quite clearly winning the ball. The ball was played into the box and Sam Bangoura headed home from six yards.
Gareth Ainsworth was booked on 42 minutes for an off the ball incident as Langley prepared to take a corner.
Rangers though had come back into the game after being under severe pressure for a 20 minute spell.
Stoke's first meaningful attack of the second half saw Marcus Bignot produce a miraculous stop.
Sidibe ran down the right and his low cross was hooked away from goal from the Rangers right back.
Rangers then won a penalty.Furlong was brought down by John Halls, the ball went on the spot and Halls went to the dressing room.For the second consecutive season Stoke City were down to ten men.
Richard Langley stepped up to the spot and his right footed shot flew into the top corner.The goal was Langley's first since returning to the club.
Marcus Bean was booked after 56 minutes.His late lunge earned him a yellow card.
Stoke hit the post on 58 minutes.Duberry's header hit the inside of the post but the linesman had flagged for offside.
Rangers then made a substitution. Ian Evatt replaced Lloyd Dyer as QPR changed to a 4-5-1 formation.
Milanese moved to left back, Moore moved to left midfield and Rowlands moved into the centre.
Rangers were playing on the break and Ainsworth nearly saw his deflected shot make it 3-1.He was released on the right by Richard Langley and his shot almost beat Simonsen at the near post but the ex-Everton stopper parried the ball out for a corner.
Dan Shittu limped off after 73 minutes and was off the field for a couple of minutes before returning to the action.The big defender had his thigh heavily strapped and was limping heavily.
Bangoura tried an overhead kick on 79 minutes but it was comfortable for Royce.
Sidibe missed a guilt edged chance seconds later when he headed wide despite having the goal at his mercy.
Langley then had a great chance at the other end.He cut in from the left hand side and his right foot shot curled wide of the far post.It was a similar effort to Kevin Gallen's goal at Derby County.
Gareth Ainsworth was replaced by Lee Cook on 88 minutes and Rangerswere now content to eat up the clock.
On 90 minutes young Shabazz Baidoo replaced Stefan Moore as the clock ticked ever so slowly towards full time.
The final whistle went and the Rangers fans rejoiced. There was an unsavoury incident when a Stoke fan came onto the pitch and attacked Simon Royce. The Rangers stopper seemed okay, if a little shaken, as he then went to celebrate in front of the ecstatic away support.