Football: Leeds thwarted by Ferdinand

Queen's Park Rangers. . .2

Leeds United. . . . . . .1

A MAGNIFICENT match, full of fearless attacking football, was decided, slightly unjustly, in Rangers' favour when Les Ferdinand galloped through to score the winner six minutes from time at Loftus Road yesterday.

Leeds had looked to be on the way to their first away win of the Premier League when Gordon Strachan scored with a volley midway through the second half. But an equaliser from David Bardsley and Ferdinand's winner gave Rangers the points and third place. 'Two tragic goals at the end marred an otherwise excellent display,' Howard Wilkinson, the champions' manager said.

It was a stirring game, as eventful as the two teams' last meeting here when Leeds were overwhelmed 4-1. This time the visitors took no chances and packed their midfield; Rod Wallace replaced Eric Cantona. 'With five across the middle and only Lee Chapman up front, it meant they had players making breaks from everywhere,' Gerry Francis, the delighted Rangers manager, said.

Strachan, in particular, and the two Garys, Speed and McAllister were outstanding, prompting and appearing on the end of moves. Twice in the first 20 minutes, McAllister released Wallace for a clear run at Jan Stejskal. Both times the Leeds winger faltered, hitting the first off-balance and directing the second wide.

Speed then showed why he is one of the best young midfielders in Europe with a swift break and low shot from the edge of the area which Stejskal gathered at the second attempt. At the other end, Rangers were producing some fine attacks of their own, the excellent Andy Sinton going close with a brace of 25-yarders.

The rich promise of the first half was translated into goals 12 minutes into the second. Speed wrong-footed three hooped attendants with a shrug of the shoulders before winning a throw near the Rangers corner flag on the right. David Batty launched the ball to the near post where Chapman nodded back for Strachan to volley past Stejskal from eight yards.

Strachan and that other former Manchester United veteran, Ray Wilkins, were waging an unstinting battle for midfield supremacy which finally tipped Rangers' way with 17 minutes to go. Both sets of fans crammed to the rafters inside Loftus Road were screaming themselves hoarse as Rangers broke upfield. The roar from the Rangers end doubled. Clive Wilson's cross was met by the unmarked Bardsley, whose firm header gave John Lukic no chance.

Strachan tested Stejskal again, Chapman headed on to the bar but luck was running away from Leeds, who have not won at Rangers since 1978. The denouement left Wilkinson 'very, very disappointed'. Alan McDonald swept a long ball through to Ferdinand and the England contender brushed past Jon Newsome on the edge of the Leeds box before rolling the ball past Lukic at the second attempt.

Leeds, beaten 2-1 by another Rangers in midweek, stood dumbfounded at the final whistle, knowing that they had done enough for a draw. Francis generously agreed.

Queen's Park Rangers: J Stejskal; D Bardsley, C Wilson, R Wilkins, D Peacock, A McDonald, A Impey, I Holloway, L Ferdinand, B Allen (S Barker, 89 min), A Sinton. Subs not used: D Maddix, T Roberts (gk). Manager: G Francis.

Leeds United: J Lukic; J Newsome, T Dorigo, D Batty, C Fairclough, C Whyte, G Strachan, Rod Wallace (C Shutt, 80 min), L Chapman, G McAllister (D Rocastle, 85 min), G Speed. Sub not used: M Day (gk). Manager: H Wilkinson.

Referee: H King (Merthyr Tydfyll).

Goals: Strachan (0-1, 57 min); Bardsley (1-1, 73 min); Ferdinand (2-1, 84 min).

(Photograph omitted)