The Sun

IT has been a long time coming but it was certainly worth the wait.

Matt Connolly joined QPR two years ago from Arsenal but his first goal in his 69th appearance was something to treasure as it earned his side a well-deserved point.

The left-back smashed in a 30-yarder from a difficult angle six minutes from time.

Connolly, 22, said: "I caught it well but I felt lucky when it went in because I have taken a bit of stick off the lads after such a long wait for a goal.

"It has been a difficult week at the club. The first I knew of Paul Hart's departure was on TV. Now we are working for Mick Harford. Every manager has different ideas but I shall do my best for whoever is in charge.

Harford said: "I've been asked to do the job and see it as an opportunity and I hope I can grab it."

Blackpool controlled the first half especially after Charlie Adam cashed in on sloppy defending to give them an early lead.

But Blackpool wilted after the break when the impressive Adel Taarabt rattled both posts before converting a penalty when Neal Eardley was adjudged to have handled the ball.

Blackpool went ahead again through Gary Taylor-Fletcher before Connolly's superb strike.

Ian Holloway moaned: "The kid will never score another volley like that with his wrong foot for the rest of his life."

Maybe not but the result was fair.

Sporting Life

QPR caretaker manager Mick Harford was relieved to salvage a point from his side's Coca-Cola Championship trip to Blackpool and has called for a period of stability at the club to get their play-off push back on track.

Harford has taken temporary charge of the Loftus Road club after Paul Hart departed as manager after just five games earlier this week, and the new man at the helm was given a moment to savour with the manner of his side's leveller.

A superb 30-yard shot from Matthew Connolly gave QPR a deserved share of the spoils as Blackpool were denied a first league victory over Rangers in 38 years.

Harford said: "This is a difficult place to come to. Blackpool started really well and controlled the game in the first half.

"But we had a chat at half-time and we started to create some excellent opportunities.

Harford added: "I think what this club needs after a difficult time is a period of stability.

"The board has asked me to take charge of the first team and I shall continue to do that."

Blackpool started the strongest and were ahead after nine minutes, Brett Ormerod pulling back a pinpoint cross which Scotland international Charlie Adam blasted into the roof of the net for his 10th goal of the season.

Two minutes later Ormerod could have made it two but he scooped Gary Taylor-Fletcher's cross wide with only the keeper to beat.

The Seasiders dominated the first half but their attacks frequently petered out on the edge of the penalty area and Rangers keeper Carl Ikeme did not have a shot to save for the rest of the half.

Rangers came alive after the break with Spurs loanee Adel Taarabt a constant danger to the home defence, and the visitors drew level in controversial circumstances 10 minutes after the restart.

Referee Trevor Kettle provoked fury among the home supporters when he deemed Seasiders defender Neal Eardley had handled a shot from Taarabt.

Midfielder Taarbat - QPR's outstanding performer - stepped up to nonchalantly dispatch the resulting spot-kick and cancel out Adam's opener.

Hogan Ephraim then fired wide for QPR but Blackpool regained the lead with 13 minutes remaining when Taylor-Fletcher rifled home Keith Southern's low right-wing cross.

Yet Rangers were not to be denied and were level in the 84th minute when Connolly hit a left-foot volley which flew into the top corner from 20 yards.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway said: "We got a point but I felt we deserved three of them.

"However, to look at the game objectively, Rangers are a good side with a lot of talent. It just shows what a long way we have come. When I arrived here we were the bookies' favourite to go down.

"I thought the penalty was a bit harsh and I have had a bit of banter with the ref about it but after what happened at our last home game, when I got sent to the stand, I decided to control myself." Sporting Life

Blackpool Gazette

BLACKPOOL and QPR shared the points in an entertaining game at Bloomfield Road.

Ian Holloway will be disappointed not to get one over on his former employees but in truth the visitors - who lost their manager Paul Hart on the eve of the contest - deserved a point.

It means Pool still haven't won at home since beating Scunthorpe at the start of November and Holloway will be keen to get back to winning ways when Sheffield Wednesday visit on Tuesday night.

Charlie Adam struck early for the Seasiders, but Adel Tarrabt hit back from the penalty spot at the start of the second half.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher thought he'd won it but five minutes from the end Matthew Connolly leveled with a terrific strike from distance.

Adam had struck his 10th goal of the season after just nine minutes.

Brett Ormerod deserved huge credit for his part in the goal, teasing Rangers full back Fitz Hall before delivering a pinpoint cross which Adam volleyed into the roof of the net from close range.

It was the Scot's second goal in successive games and will only serve to increase his value as continues to be watched by other clubs during the January transfer window.

Keith Southern came close to extending the lead with a left footer from 20 yards while the impressive Ormerod slashed a half-volley wide and Barry Bannan had a decent effort saved.

QPR looked dodgy at the back but impressed going forward and frontman Adel Tarrabt caused several problems, not least when he beat Neal Eardley with a delightful piece of skill inside the area but fired his shot wide from a tight angle.

Paul Rachubka made four fine saves, though on each occasion Rangers were ruled to be offside.

It was dangerman Tarrabt who got QPR back on level terms on 54 minutes. He converted from the penalty spot after Neal Eardley had been adjudged to have blocked substitute Hogan Emphraim's shot with his arm.

Maybe a slightly harsh decision but Tarrabt deserved his goal - as well as playing well throughout he had hit both posts with a shot moments earlier.

Always willing to push men forward, Rangers were the better side for a long while afterwards.

But the Seasiders got their noses back in front in the 76th minute when Keith Southern shot from 20 yards and it was helped into the net by Gary Taylor-Fletcher, his seventh goal of the season.

But with five minutes remaining QPR hit back once again, with a quite brilliant strike from Matthew Connolly.

The midfielder sent a wonderful looping volley dipping over Paul Rachubka and into the top corner from the edge of the area.

It proved enough to earn QPR a draw that on the balance of play they probably deserved.