Steve McClaren praised QPR’s players for showing battling qualities in the FA Cup fourth-round draw at Portsmouth.
The two sides will meet again in a replay after a feisty encounter at Fratton Park, where tempers boiled over in a melee late in the game.
Rangers manager McClaren said: “It’s the FA Cup, you’re playing at Portsmouth and you have to stand up.
“We’ve not been traditionally known at Queens Park Rangers for that kind of fight, but we certainly showed it.”
Nahki Wells earned a replay for Rangers with a 75th-minute equaliser after Joel Lynch’s own goal put League One leaders Pompey ahead.
“We knew this would be a tough game. They’re a good side who will be in the Championship next season and the replay at Loftus Road will be tough as well,” McClaren said.
“We were pleased with the first half but when we went a goal down the crowd really got behind them and our boys fought tremendously well and showed great character.
“We equalised and then it was both teams slugging it out for the winner.”
This post was last modified on 26/01/2019