(Apologies for the delayed report, this was due to the absence of phone lines in the press box.)

Rangers were denied a win against Aldershot after a late strike, following Tommy Doherty's opener.

The bearded wonder struck on 25 minutes with a perfectly executed free kick to give Rangers the lead.

But as the clock ticked down, Mark Pritchard bundled the ball home at the far post to deny Rangers a winning opening.

The game at the Recreation Ground was the first chance the travelling Rangers fans had to see the boys after the summer break and there were a few new faces out on the pitch.

Armel made his way into the starting line up, and there were plenty of trialists on show.

From the off, Shabazz Baidoo was looking especially lively with some neat touches, including one cheeky back heel into the path of Gareth Ainsworth.

In was the winger himself who mustered Rangers' first effort, although the summers' rustiness saw his shot fly wide of the mark and more than lacking in pace.

Sean Thomas then had to be on his guard to scoop up Mark Molesley's strike after Pat Kanyuka had gifted the Shots midfield with the ball.

With Aldershot also playing their first football of the new pre-season campaign, both sides seemed to be finding their feet without really testing the defences in the final third.

With 25 minutes on the clock, Tommy Doherty scored an absolute peach of a free kick that Nikki Bull failed to get near.

From 20 yards out, Doherty curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner - think Beckham, think World Cup, and then you're almost there.

Rangers were close to going 2-0 up when Marcus Bignot attempted to poke the ball over the line following a corner, but Bull managed to scramble the ball to safety.

Neither team looked willing to break into a sweat in the afternoon heat, but Rangers were yet to be bothered by anything that the Shots could throw at them.

Waddock freshened up his side after the break, making nine changes.

Kevin Gallen and Lee Cook were among some of the first teamers to make an appearance in the second half.

You would have thought that the two fans' favourites would have combined better to have put Rangers 2-0 up, but when Cook laid the ball off for the skipper, Gallen blasted well over.

Sean Thomas then showed the watching Paul Jones how it was done when Ryan Williams stormed through with only the young stopper to beat.

With half of the Rec already cheering, Thomas went full stretch to palm the ball round the post.

Thomas then produced yet another fine save when a Kirk Hudson effort flew straight at goal, but the Rangers keeper beat it away to deny a certain goal.

Finally Rangers fell into sync, passing the ball around with ease and sending Aldershot off to chase shadows.

Louis Soares tried unsuccessfully to restore parity, but although his long distance effort may have looked impressive, it was never going to trouble Thomas.

Finally Aldershot found the back of the net when Pritchard bundled the ball over the line following a deep cross across the face of goal.

Thomas could do nothing to prevent the ball from falling past him and it was a shame to concede such a sloppy goal after his earlier fine efforts.

This was no more than a run out for Rangers and although several gave a good account of themselves, Waddock will not have been looking for more than a competent display.

Aldershot: Bull, Smith, Anderson (Milletti), Lee, Edwards, Winfield, Soares, Molesley, Grant, Gayle, Williams

QPR first half: Thomas, Bignot, Tonkin, Armel, Tobi, Kanyuka, Ainsworth, Olisen, Moore, Doherty, Baidoo

QPR second half: Thomas, Kanyuka (Tobi), Munday, Cook, Evatt, Lomas, Donnelly, Gallen, Bailey, Trialist, Hislop

Scorers: Doherty

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