A patched up Town side claimed a point in a thrilling game at Sixfields. Marco Gabbiadini and Daryl Burgess were missing through suspension, so John Hodge got a rare start.
The game began lively and Rangers keeper Fraser Digby had to make an early save from Sam Parkin in the opening minutes. In the 11th minute things started to go wrong for Town. Karl Connolly raced onto a long clearance but was upended by Roy Hunter in the penalty area. Referee Rob Harris had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Hunter was also shown the red card for a professional foul. Connolly chipped the penalty over Keith Welch in true Di Canio style.
There were no complaints about the penalty award until Paul McGregor pounced on a loose ball in the visitors penalty area and was brought down by Terrell Forbes. The incident was exactly the same as the Rangers penalty award five minutes earlier but Rob Harris waved play on.
This was to be the shape of things to come from the man in the middle, only moments later Parkin was pulled back by Danny Shittu on the edge of the penalty area, but again the referee waved play on.
QPR doubled their lead on 21 minutes Connolly headed home a Langley cross from ten yards and it looked like the floodgats were about to open. Chris Carruthers replaced John Hodge, as Kevan Broadhurst reverted to four at the back.
Digby saved Jamie Forrester's well struck drive on the half hour as Town failed to lay down and die. McGregor then drove a close range shot at Digby from a tight angle only moments later. At the other end Welch saved a shot from Langley just before half time.
Thirty seconds into the second half Welch denied Connolly a chance to complete his hatrick, saving with his feet. In the 55th minute Derek Asamoah replaced Paul McGregor to give Town another attacking option. Just after the hour mark, Jamie Forrester chipped an angled shot from 20 yards that went just the wrong side of Digby's post.
Rangers then enjoyed a good spell of possession and created some great chances. First Welch saved again from Connolly and Carruthers turned the ball behind for a corner. The the Cobblers keeper denied Griffiths, who shot through a crowded penalty area.
With 12 minutes left on the clock, The Cobblers were back in the game thanks to another wondergoal from Derek Asamoah. The nippy striker picked up the ball on the right, weaved his way through three Rangers defenders before cooly slotting the ball past Digby into the far corner.
The goal clearly lifted the home side and Forrester headed Carruthers' cross straight at Digby. Hargreaves was then penalised for what appeared to be nothing on the half way line and was booked by Mr Harris. The whole crowd, who had been frustrated all afternoon by the referee were in uproar. In the anger, Kevan Broadhurst was sent from the dugout following an arguement with the man in black.
As tempers continued to rise, Sam Parkin slid in from close range to steal a point in the 88th minute. The home crowd were in raptures and Town almost won the game in stoppage time, Digby first saved from Parkin before Asamoah fired over from the edge of the area when clear. The final whistle was greeted by cheers of satifaction from the home fans, a point well deserved for Town.
Editor's View
What a game! Town gave themselves a mountain to climb in the first half but battled back against all odds to steal a point. The team worked hard despite only having ten men for 80 minutes. Jamie Forrester naver gave up and Chris Hargreaves put in typical hard working performance in midfield. If we carry on playing like this, we have got to be winning more points.
Cobblers Man of the Match - Keith Welch, kept Town in the game with a series of fine saves.
Ref Watch - Rob Harris was a disgrace!!! Gave the Cobblers nothing all game and wound the crowd up throughout the full ninety minutes. Missed a blatant penalty and gave the impression that he and his assistants were trying to cheat us. At one point even the QPR fans were singing "we only need 12 men". This man should not be allowed to referee and both lineman should read up on the offside rule. Rob Harris is the most one sided referee I have seen for a long long time.
The game began lively and Rangers keeper Fraser Digby had to make an early save from Sam Parkin in the opening minutes. In the 11th minute things started to go wrong for Town. Karl Connolly raced onto a long clearance but was upended by Roy Hunter in the penalty area. Referee Rob Harris had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Hunter was also shown the red card for a professional foul. Connolly chipped the penalty over Keith Welch in true Di Canio style.
There were no complaints about the penalty award until Paul McGregor pounced on a loose ball in the visitors penalty area and was brought down by Terrell Forbes. The incident was exactly the same as the Rangers penalty award five minutes earlier but Rob Harris waved play on.
This was to be the shape of things to come from the man in the middle, only moments later Parkin was pulled back by Danny Shittu on the edge of the penalty area, but again the referee waved play on.
QPR doubled their lead on 21 minutes Connolly headed home a Langley cross from ten yards and it looked like the floodgats were about to open. Chris Carruthers replaced John Hodge, as Kevan Broadhurst reverted to four at the back.
Digby saved Jamie Forrester's well struck drive on the half hour as Town failed to lay down and die. McGregor then drove a close range shot at Digby from a tight angle only moments later. At the other end Welch saved a shot from Langley just before half time.
Thirty seconds into the second half Welch denied Connolly a chance to complete his hatrick, saving with his feet. In the 55th minute Derek Asamoah replaced Paul McGregor to give Town another attacking option. Just after the hour mark, Jamie Forrester chipped an angled shot from 20 yards that went just the wrong side of Digby's post.
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Rangers then enjoyed a good spell of possession and created some great chances. First Welch saved again from Connolly and Carruthers turned the ball behind for a corner. The the Cobblers keeper denied Griffiths, who shot through a crowded penalty area.
With 12 minutes left on the clock, The Cobblers were back in the game thanks to another wondergoal from Derek Asamoah. The nippy striker picked up the ball on the right, weaved his way through three Rangers defenders before cooly slotting the ball past Digby into the far corner.
The goal clearly lifted the home side and Forrester headed Carruthers' cross straight at Digby. Hargreaves was then penalised for what appeared to be nothing on the half way line and was booked by Mr Harris. The whole crowd, who had been frustrated all afternoon by the referee were in uproar. In the anger, Kevan Broadhurst was sent from the dugout following an arguement with the man in black.
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As tempers continued to rise, Sam Parkin slid in from close range to steal a point in the 88th minute. The home crowd were in raptures and Town almost won the game in stoppage time, Digby first saved from Parkin before Asamoah fired over from the edge of the area when clear. The final whistle was greeted by cheers of satifaction from the home fans, a point well deserved for Town.
Editor's View
What a game! Town gave themselves a mountain to climb in the first half but battled back against all odds to steal a point. The team worked hard despite only having ten men for 80 minutes. Jamie Forrester naver gave up and Chris Hargreaves put in typical hard working performance in midfield. If we carry on playing like this, we have got to be winning more points.
Cobblers Man of the Match - Keith Welch, kept Town in the game with a series of fine saves.
Ref Watch - Rob Harris was a disgrace!!! Gave the Cobblers nothing all game and wound the crowd up throughout the full ninety minutes. Missed a blatant penalty and gave the impression that he and his assistants were trying to cheat us. At one point even the QPR fans were singing "we only need 12 men". This man should not be allowed to referee and both lineman should read up on the offside rule. Rob Harris is the most one sided referee I have seen for a long long time.