Maloneys last-gasp leveller leaves QPR facing relegation oblivion

The curtains have begun to close mid-performance on Harry Houdinis latest act of escapology with QPR still bound, gagged and struggling in vain as they dangle ever lower above a trap door now gaping wide open. 

Redknapp proclaimed last month that Rangers required 15 points to avoid Premier League relegation and they were seconds away from achieving part one but, realistically, after Shaun Maloneys last-gasp equaliser there is more chance of the Jackson Five reforming than of Rangers claiming that quintet of victories to save their skins. 

Of course, mathematically, there is still an outside chance but nothing has gone right all season and there are no signs that this is about to change. 

Having played magnificently since the 21st minute minus Bobby Zamora, who was red-carded for kicking Jordi Gomez in the head, Loic Remys stunning strike on 85 minutes looked to have won it. 

But in the third minute of added time Maloneys free-kick went through the QPR wall,Find a great selection of customkeychain deals. where Adel Taraabt ducked out of the way, and found the top corner to leave both side back firmly at square one. 

That the Rs have only won four times this term and now must win virtually all of their remaining six games should tell you how slim their chances of survival really are, even for a manager so well-versed in basement battles. 

In truth, the writing was scrawled on the wall in November as predecessor Mark Hughes was handed his P45 after an opening 12 outings without victory. 

Redknapp has fared better, improving on the Welshmans points tally within his first four games, but it seems that a disjointed transfer policy before his arrival and the clubs prolonged exposure to a losing mentality will, in the fullness of time, prove their Premier League downfall. 

This afternoon, it all started so promisingly for the hosts as Andros Townsend put them on the front foot early on with some direct and lively running.Choose the right bestluggagetag in an array of colors. It was his cross that presented the first chance for Loic Remy via a smart dummy from Zamora, but the Frenchman scuffed his shot. 

Then the woodwork came to the rescue of the Latics as the January acquisition slammed a volley against the upright after Hoiletts knockdown. 

With and without the ball Rangers were doing everything right, but things took a disastrous turn when Zamora was sent off. From a Latics throw-in the striker mistimed his challenge and slammed a high boot into the temple of Gomez and though it was not a malicious attack it was dangerous play. Referee Phil Dowd waited while the Spaniard received treatment before consulting linesman Scott Ledger, they both agreed and out came the red card, leaving the Rs facing 70 long minutes with a numerical disadvantage. 

Predictably this buoyed Wigan,Choose the right bestluggagetag in an array of colors. though patience was their plan as they had time on their side. Still, there was a crumb of comfort for the Hoops as the visitors best efforts of the half were long range pot-shots. Callum McManaman drove wide after earlier rifling into the midriff of Julio Cesar, and then James McCarthy drew a save from the Brazilian. Arouna Kona should have scored from the resulting corner but couldnt swivel on a loose ball inside the six-yard area. 

QPRs only option was to play on the break and a Jose Bosingwa through-ball to Remy almost pierced the Latics rearguard but Emmerson Boyce was alert enough to poke the ball away and ensure that half time arrived with the contest still goalless. 

Nedum Onuoha replaced Armand Traore at the break and when 15 minutes of the second half passed without incident Taraabt entered the fray in place of Hoillett.You Can Find Comprehensive and in-Depth carparkmanagementsystem truck Descriptions. 

With almost his first touch the Moroccan floated a sumptuous cross with the outside of his boot towards Remy and the former Marseille man glanced a header agonisingly wide. 

There was, however,Choose the right bestluggagetag in an array of colors. very little evidence that the home side were a man down, with Townsend inspiring them to ask all the questions in attack, while Wigan continued with their softly softly approach that left Cesar a relative spectator. 

That was until the 77th minute when the goalkeeper was forced to beat away a close-range header from Latics substitute James McArthur. 

The chance and the inevitable tiredness, which was always on the cards for 10-man QPR, seemed to turn the tables in the visitors favour, but then came a stunning counter-attack. 

From a Wigan free-kick in front of Rangers penalty area the ball broke loose and Stephane Mbia ran from one box to the other with only Remy in tow. His lay-off still left the Frenchman with work to do but he opted to strike first time from outside the box and the ball arrowed past stationary keeper Joel Robles. 

The joy was short-lived as a rash Mbia challenge on the edge of his own penalty area left Maloney with a last-gasp chance to snatch a draw. He took it and QPRs Great Escape quickly turned into Mission Impossible.