Rangers maintain the pressure

SHEFF WED 1 QPR 2

Kaspars Gorkss headed an 82nd-minute winner as QPR boosted their promotion prospects with a hard-fought victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Both sides created a host of opportunities in an entertaining clash, which seemed destined to finish level after Jermaine Johnson had cancelled out Jay Simpson’s early opener.

But Gorkss ensured Rangers claimed a fourth away win in six matches when he met a corner from substitute Alejandro Faurlin with a firm near-post header.

Simpson opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a left-footed finish after he had been released by Adel Taarabt. But Johnson pulled the Owls level within three minutes as he converted a left-wing cross from Darren Potter. Wednesday struck the woodwork twice and the visitors were also denied by the post.

Haynes ensures justice is done

NOTTM FOREST 1 BRISTOL CITY 1

A thrilling final five minutes saw Bristol City snatch a share of the spoils at Nottingham Forest in a lifeless clash that had threatened nothing but a goalless draw.

Wes Morgan lashed home an 85th-minute opener for a poor Forest side to seemingly secure what would have been a harsh triumph over City, who deserved a share of the points.

But Danny Haynes’ 90th-minute finish ensured the scoreline finished level and extended the Robins’ unbeaten run to seven games, while Forest are unbeaten in eight.

Overall, this uneventful encounter between two sides pushing for promotion to the Premier League did very little to inspire.

Neither goalkeeper was called into action during the opening 20 minutes, and that set the tone for the remainder of a drab match.

Fallon lifts Plymouth

PLYMOUTH 2 DONCASTER 1

Plymouth moved out of the relegation zone after a hard-fought win over 10-man Doncaster.

The Pilgrims went in front with 26 minutes gone when Alan Gow crossed for Alan Judge to poke home but Dean Shiels equalised for the visitors three minutes later.

Doncaster were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Martin Woods was shown a second yellow card but they went close with Romain Larrieu making a good save from James Coppinger.

However, with 19 minutes remaining Rory Fallon finished well after Jamie Mackie’s shot had been saved to give Plymouth back-to-back wins.

Happy return for Helguson

WATFORD 2 PRESTON 0

Heidar Helguson marked his return to the Watford starting line-up with an early goal to put the hosts on course for victory over Preston.

Watford started well and went in front in the ninth minute when the Iceland international headed home. On-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley, who has made his mark since arriving from Old Trafford, doubled the hosts’ advantage just after the hour mark before England Under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach showed a safe pair of hands to ensure the Hornets held on to take the points. The keeper made a host of excellent saves, defying Jon Parkin and Ross Wallace among others.

Helguson was making his first start since returning to Vicarage Road on loan from QPR almost two months ago.

Blackpool rock solid

BLACKPOOL 4 SCUNTHORPE 1

Joe Murphy was sent off on his 250th league start as Blackpool turned around a one-goal deficit to beat Scunthorpe 4-1 and maintain their unbeaten home record.

Scunthorpe were the better side for an hour and took the lead through Paul Hayes’ 51st-minute opener, before Ian Evatt equalised for the home side.

Keeper Murphy was then sent off for deliberate handball, with the decision paving the way for Charlie Adam, Ben Burgess and Alex Baptiste to seal the win for Ian Holloway’s men, leaving Scunthorpe without a win at Bloomfield Road since April 2000.

Scunthorpe were by far the more dangerous of the two sides but were unable to make their dominance count. They have lost their past three games but must have returned to Lincolnshire wondering what could have been.