One of QPR's better away performances of the season saw them draw 1-1 at Derby on a Tuesday night in March.

1 - The Match
As we all know, the game at Pride Park saw QPR concede a late equaliser in a match they dominated. Martin Rowlands stooped to nod home the opener with less than 15 minutes gone after a deft touch by Paul Furlong had seen the ball rebound off the post. However, late in the game Darren Moore headed home a McEverely cross after the initial corner had been overhit. It was an unfair ending to a game that QPR had dominated for long periods in what was one of their best performances of the season to date.

The first half saw several half chances coming the way of the away team, whilst a potentially crucial second goal was wrongly disallowed for offside. Towards the end of the half Lee Cook cleared a Steve Howard off the line after he'd got on the end of a corner. The second half saw more chances come Rangers's way. Nygaard took too long when one-on-one, Lomas had a good effort saved and Lee Cook overhit a fairly simple through ball to an unmarked Furlong. Derby, on the other hand, were disappointing and certainly did not look the promotion chasing side they are. They offered little up front and were one of the only teams we've managed to boss this season.
7/10

2 - Rangers' Performance
This was an excellent performance by Rangers and one which thoroughly deserved all three points. The defence looked assured and had McDonald's customer of the year, Steve Howard, in their pocket. Unfortunately, one moment of a loss of concentration undid their good work. The midfield worked hard with Martin Rowlands having a stormer before breaking down with another injury after half an hour. In the second half Lee Cook was virtually untouchable, whilst Paul Furlong had his best game for years up front. For the first time in months Rangers actually looked threatening as the away side and, had it not been for a terrible decision by the lino in the first half, may well have been home and dry after 20 minutes. We passed the ball around well and were able to retain the ball up front thanks to Furlong and Nygaard which meant Rowlands, followed by Ainsworth, and Cook could be brought into play in attacking areas. Play like this for the rest of season and we'll stay up.
8/10

3 - Rangers' Support
Fantastic. There is no better word to describe it. This was one of those games as a supporter when you remember why you're a football fan. All those crappy, cold miserable midweek away games in an empty stadium are made up for with nights like these. Yes, we didn't win but it was brilliant to be a part of the away following on a night like this. In the first half the away support, consisting of about 600 souls, was good. The early goal certainly helped loosen up a few vocal chords but it was in the second half when the noise stepped up a couple of notches.

Constant, loud and involving almost all the away end, the support the players received in the second half will surely be up there as one of the best of the season. "We're the finest football team…" echoed around the ground. The new "We are the Rangers boys…Stand up and make some noise" ditty was sung with gusto. Derby were completely outsung and the QPR team could have asked for no more.
9/10

4 - The Ground
Now, a lot of people slate Pride Park. It's seen as one of the plastic, replica stadium brigade. However, for some reason I like it. I don't know why. They allow the hardcore home fans to sit by the away end. The ground is out of town: a 15min walk from the train station out along an A road and past several roundabouts. However, I still like the ground. The view is always good. Plus, in the last few years we seem to do well here. In my opinion Pride Park is also developing a bit of character. It's becoming a bit dog eared around the edges. This was evident when I innocently kicked a seat in the away end off its hinges and several rows down the away end. Honestly, it was unintentional and apologies to those hit by the seat shaped frisbee. Still, points gained for showing the highlights of the first half on TVs down in the concourse. Service as the pie stall was decent. Can't remember if there was a bookies but another plus point for selling alcohol.
7/10

5 - Atmosphere
One way traffic really. Derby fans were as quiet as I've ever heard them. Even the supposed hardcore either side of the away end didn't really seem interested let alone intimidating. The only time they really made much of a noise was, unsurprisingly, when they equalised and the following five minutes. As stated earlier, the support from Rangers fans was outstanding. It can't be overstated how good it was. Luckily the away end didn't stop making noise. Had it done so Pride Park would have sounded like a library after closing time. Well played to the 600 who travelled for this one.
6/10

6 - Pre-Match
I've been to Derby for the last few years now and it's the same plan of action for me and my mate. Having met with a couple of the Yorkshire R's on the train down from York, we got into Derby around 5pm and headed straight for the Brunswick Inn. If you like real ale but haven't visited this pub then you're missing out. It welcomes both sets of fans and I've never seen any trouble in there. In fact the bloke selling Derby pins and badges inside the pub even had a bag of very nice QPR ones too, which we took advantage of. The choice of beers at the Brunswick is excellent and after enjoying a handful of them it was off to the ground.

Foodwise, I saw some sandwiches on sale in the pub but I waited until half time and sampled 'Football's Famous Chicken Baltie Pie', which was actually quite nice! The walk from the pubs situated opposite the train station is just over 15 minutes but easy enough. Once inside the ground we headed straight up to the seats, arriving with about 5 minutes to go before kick off. Lovely.
8/10

7 - Journey
Being a student at York Uni, Derby away during midweek is a bit of a mixture. It's easy enough coming down. We just hopped on the train at York and about 1hr 45min later you're in Derby. We met a Wolves fan on the train who seemed amicable enough and talked footy with him before two of the Yorkshire R's got on at Sheffield. The train got completely full at this point which meant we had to stand but time passed quickly enough. Coming back is a different matter, though. Now, my mate and I have had some pretty shocking times trying to get back from games; Sheffield Wednesday earlier of the season being a prime example. As a result we were determined not to mess up a pain of a return journey. The last train to leave Derby, which would allow us to get back to York, was at 1009. This obviously curtailed any post-match drinking which was a disappointment. We made the train just in time. However, this train takes you as far as Sheffield where we had to wait for another half an hour or so before getting a train to Doncaster. Here we had, once again, to wait for another half an hour or so before catching the last train to leave Donny. On the bright side, the stop in Sheffield allowed me to go wanders and find a kebab of excellent value which occupied me for some of the time, even if the chilli sauce was disappointing. We eventually made it back into York at 1am. Nothing went wrong but not the most enjoyable of journeys with the frustrating stopovers in Yorkshire towns.
6/10

8 - Police/Stewards
Pretty good, I think. They didn't really have too much to do. They missed my accidental misdemeanour, which was nice. They allowed us to stand at the back. I didn't come across any jobsworths although I think they may have chucked out one the home fans next door for something I missed. Still, for the treatment of the away fans I thought it was refreshingly hands off.
8/10

Overall: 59/80

Photo: Action Images

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