Late Kranjcar goal rescues point for QPR

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QPR 2 Stoke City 2

Niko Kranjcar’s 88th-minute free-kick rescued a point for QPR at Loftus Road.

Mame Biram Diouf’s close-range header put Stoke in front before the hosts levelled when Charlie Adam sliced the ball into his own net three minutes before the break.

Former Rangers striker Peter Crouch scored early in the second half and his goal looked like giving Mark Hughes a victorious return to W12.

But Kranjcar picked himself up from the second of two crunching tackles to score a brilliant equaliser.

Hughes was given a predictably hostile reception from the home supporters because of his ill-fated spell as Rangers boss.

The Welshman is faring much better at Stoke, however, and they went ahead in the 11th minute.

Mauricio Isla’s hesitation enabled Victor Moses to cross from the left and Crouch climbed above Rio Ferdinand to nod the ball down and give Diouf a simple finish.

Worse followed for Rangers shortly after the half-hour mark when Joey Barton limped off after appearing to suffer a recurrence of a hamstring problem.

Although Kranjcar went close from 30 yards, they were struggling before their good fortune led to an equaliser.

Steven Caulker met Jordon Mutch’s corner with a firm header and as Crouch and Adam both attempted to clear off the line, the Scot was left red-faced.

Stoke hit back six minutes after the break. Again Moses was the provider – and again Isla was at fault.

The Chilean lost possession deep in his own half and then allowed Moses to deliver a cross towards Crouch, who thumped past keeper Rob Green.

Another error by Isla then presented Erik Pieters with a chance but he failed to take advantage and Rangers had another let-off when Steven N’Zonzi fired wide after being set up by Adam.

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross can also count himself fortunate. He escaped with only a yellow card following a diabolical challenge on Kranjcar.

So too did Steve Sidwell shortly afterwards, but the Croatian had the last laugh, superbly sweeping the ball in from the resulting free-kick.

QPR: Green; Isla, Caulker, Ferdinand, Traore: Barton (Phillips 33); Mutch (Henry 50), Fer, Kranjcar; Vargas (Zamora 70), Austin.
Subs not used: McCarthy, Onuoha, Dunne, Hoilett.

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