QPR 3, PRESTON 2

ALAN IRVINE took an angry swipe at his defenders as Preston's bid for a third straight win flopped.

Irvine's men twice battled back after falling behind to play-off rivals QPR.

But they were sunk five minutes from time, as sub Dexter Blackstock headed the home side's winner.

It brought back unpleasant memories of the side's trip to Loftus Road last season, when Preston blew a 2-0 lead with minutes remaining to draw 2-2.

Deserved

Manager Irvine groaned: "We deserved something. We were the better side in the second half and I expected us to win, not come away with nothing.

"I was disappointed with our defending for QPR's first goal. We'd shown the lads videos to highlight their strength.

"The second goal just dropped for them but we defended too deep at the free-kick for their third and that was disappointing too.

"The final result was a bit harsh, even though QPR deserved to be ahead at half-time and I was praying for the whistle to come."

Preston keeper Andy Lonergan had to make a stunning double save after just two minutes.

Blast

He did well to beat out a long-range blast from Heidar Helguson, then superbly denied Patrick Agyemang as the North End old boy seemed certain to force in the rebound.

But the visitors' respite lasted just 16 minutes.

Then on-loan Fulham winger Lee Cook cleverly beat two defenders and crossed for Helguson to head powerfully beyond Lonergan.

Preston withstood more QPR pressure before equalising out of the blue on 27 minutes.

Good work down the right by Paul McKenna saw him pick out Chris Sedgwick and the winger headed his first goal of the season into the bottom corner of the net.

Six minutes later, though, the Londoners were back in front.

Squeezed

Preston's defence failed to deal with a Martin Rowlands corner and on-loan Bolton striker Helguson squeezed the loose ball over the line from two yards. A short time before, French defender Youl Mawene ought to have put Preston ahead. But he blazed over following a corner.

The impressive Cook almost increased QPR's lead when his centre skimmed the crossbar.

An Agyemang drive drew a fine Lonergan save before Preston levelled in controversial fashion just before the hour mark.

Defender Sean St Ledger went down under a clumsy challenge from keeper Radek Cerny and referee Alan Wiley awarded a penalty.

The home players protested, but to no avail, and spot-kick expert Callum Davidson duly beat Czech international Cerny with a firmly struck drive.

QPR continued to press, with sub Mikele Leigertwood and winger Hogan Ephraim going close from 25 yards.

And they got their reward in that fatal 85th minute, when Blackstock rose highest to head in a Rowlands free-kick.

Preston are kept out of the play-off places on goal difference, with QPR moving to within a point of them in ninth spot. Irvine added: "We were at the bottom of the table this time last year, so it really shows the clear progress that we have made. This is a very hard division."

QPR boss Paulo Sousa said: "It was important for us to prepare well. Preston have been playing better football than us recently.

"But I was disappointed with the decision for their penalty.

"I believe a lot in my players. I don't have doubts about them. They are getting better and more consistent.

"To make a big step, you need players with qualities, different players, to get more alternatives.

"It's easier for a manager when you have more resources.

"But I know what's needed and I think we can get it."

Rangers will once again be expected to splash out on a number of new signings during the course of the January transfer window.

But mega-rich chairman Flavio Briatore's priority surely must be to secure the future of Cook.

Former Portugal star Sousa added: "Lee Cook has come back from an injury and is starting to get better physically, while his skill and quality is always the same - fantastic.

"We need to use players with this kind of quality to achieve success."

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