QPR's U18's are through to the Southern Conference Youth Alliance Final after beating Exeter City 5-4 on penalties, after a 2-2 draw in normal time, in a dramatic Semi final at Harlington.

It was a case of De ja vu for the Queens Park Rangers youngsters as they held the lead for the majority of the game, following first half goals by wingers Christian Nanetti and Elliot Cox, but Kyle Bassett's late equaliser in the final minutes meant the R's could only achieve a deserved win via penalties.

QPR lined up without their regular number one Nikki Lee Bulmer who was injured, so Joe Wright deputised in goal. Steve Gallen was, however, able to name the returning Eire U18 international Michael Harriman at right back.

Exeter lined up in a simple four, four, two formation.

The first ten minutes saw no chances for either side but it was after 12 minutes that the deadlock was broken.

Good work from striker Danny Fernandez saw him nod the ball off to Sam Bewick. The energetic Bewick dribbled the ball to the by line before chipping an inch perfect cross to Cox, who headed the ball in from six yards.

In an exciting 10 minute spell, Exeter equalised after 18 minutes.

Good passing from the back allowed Dan Western to pick up the ball with time to turn in the centre of midfield, he then played a perfectly lofted through ball over right back Harriman into the path of striker Tom Nichols, who was able to sneak the ball past the onrushing Wright.

The Grecians were unable to stay level for long however, as the R's regained the lead just three minutes later.

A corner was taken from the right side by Michael Doughty, his in-swinging left footed cross found a six yard box filled with six footers, but it was the lively pint-sized Nanetti who got his head to the ball first and the ball squeezed into the back of the net.

The last 15 minutes of the half saw Exeter beginning to look more and more dangerous, passing the ball well but looking generally toothless up front.

Both sides had their half time team talks by the side of the pitch, and Gallen made it perfectly clear to his side that they were not meeting the standards he expects, in terms of work rate and tenacity when out of possession. He demanded more bite from his side and he certainly got it in a second half dominated by the hosts.

Within five minutes of the second half QPR had begun to take a strong hold of the game and should have had a penalty when Exeter keeper Paul Gibbins dropped a cross and Fernandez looked to have capitalised on the fumble. As he went to put the ball into the net he was pulled to the floor by Gibbins, but the referee waved play on.

As the game continued, QPR's improvement in the centre of midfield meant better service to wingers Nanetti and Cox, who were proving a real threat.

Nanetti looked to have given the R's a two-goal cushion when his tricky dribbling and fine cross found Fernandez in the centre, his initial effort was scuffed at but the ball still escaped the clutches of Gibbins and Fernandez finished at the second attempt. Unfortunately the referee saw something untoward and the goal didn't stand.

Two minutes later it seemed that QPR would finally double their lead when Nanetti's trailing leg was caught by the Exeter keeper after some good passing and a clever through ball. Nanetti himself stepped up but his firmly hit penalty was superbly saved by the strong outstretched hand of Gibbins low to his right.

Exeter on occasions were looking threatening, forcing the odd corner, but generally it was one way traffic as QPR looked to finish off the Grecians resistance, and in the final 20 minutes Gallen's men were able to create no fewer than four clear cut goal scoring opportunities, three from inside the six yard box, without somehow finding the back of the net.

And so, as has occurred frequently in recent weeks, Rangers were punished late on for their failure to put away their chances.

Exeter changed to three up front for the final ten minutes and it paid off in the 87th minute.

That extra man in the box meant that a deep cross from the left hand side was able to find Kyle Bassett at the back post whose downward header crept past the near post of Wright, who would have been disappointed to be beaten from that angle after putting in a fine performance in the match.

Disappointment nearly turned to disaster in the final few minutes as Exeter City, a side who should have been dead and buried, nearly snatched a place in the Final. Firstly with Bassett who was able to get away from centre half Danny Bailey and shoot, forcing Wright to tip the ball round the post.

From the resultant corner Exeter looked to have won the tie from a powerful header but the referee saw pushing in the box to the relief of the home side.

Seconds later came the final whistle, which meant a re-run of the Quarter Finals for the Hoops, a penalty shoot-out.

Fortunately for the R's the result of the shootout was also a repeat performance. Sam Bewick, Doughty, Aaron Waters and Nanetti were all successful before Wright saved Jack Furzers' penalty. This allowed Fernandez to send QPR through to the Final for the second year in succession from the spot.

Gaffer Steve Gallen was pleased with the second half reaction by his players, telling www.qpr.co.uk: "In the first half I thought we were a bit scrappy despite being 2-1 up. But in the second half we were excellent, we had loads of chances and should have won the game.

"The lads just need to keep practising, but to be fair we've stepped up and scored all five of our penalties, so I'm delighted were into the Final.

"We are one of the bigger Centres of Excellence so we need to get to the finals of these competitions. We got into the Final (national) last year and we're going to do our best this year to go one better and win it.'

QPR: Wright, Harriman, Waters, Bailey, Olley, Ehmer, Doughty, Bewick, Nanetti, Cox, Fernandez

Unused Subs: Massih, Abdullah, Perring, Graham, Molloy