QPR 2 v Charlton Athletic 1

An ultimately frustrating evening for the 700 Addicks in the appallingly small and quiet crowd of 12,268 at Loftus Road tonight. What is clear is that Phil Parkinson got a much more whole-hearted display than we have seen of late (although I wasn't at Plymouth or Birmingham). The fact that we conceded two soft goals from QPR's only three real efforts was the ultimate disappointment and won't be good enough to keep Phil Parkinson in this job if it happens again.

All credit to Parkinson for being bold and making changes. He started with Racon and Semedo in an untried central midfield pairing and it worked well enough - it will be interesting to see if Bailey was dropped or is carrying a knock. Bouazza was played out left and Gillespie started on the right. Martyn Waghorn got his first start up front with Andy Gray. The four in front of Weaver were Cranie, Hudson, Primus and Youga.

We started brightly and passed the ball well across the park without showing too much threat. Waghorn and Gray were playing with a big gap between them which made it look like we only had one up front when the ball was played into the box. Rangers have a beanpole defence and it's easy to see how they have only conceded 9 goals in 10 home matches.  They scored with their first attack of the game after 17 minutes. Tommasi broke down the left flank and looked to have let the ball run out at one point but was waved on. His cross skipped across the face of the Charlton goal and Dexter Blackstock was on hand unmarked to knock it home in front of the disgruntled Addicks fans. 

Charlton carried on dominating possession and carved out a few openings but nothing clear-cut until an attack down the right flank switched quickly to the left and Bouazza cut in to cross for Therry Racon to fire home. The goal lifted the Addicks and we continued to dominate proceedings going into the break. Agyemang came on for Rangers at the start of the second half but he had little effect as Charlton continued to pass the ball around from side to side and back to front.  Andy Gray was leading the line well with limited support from Waghorn who looked lost at times - he did get on the end of one effort but his shot was well blocked. Linvoy Primus then had a chance when he pulled down a ball in the box but his shot skimmed the netting on the roof of the Rangers goal. Early days for Waghorn but it was no surprise when he was subbed for Luke Varney. 

Varney had warmed up at half time and was rattling shots into the goal for ten minutes with Rob Elliott. He looked relaxed, sharp and confident. When he came on I sensed he was going to make the difference. He got our best chance of the match following a goal-mouth scramble. QPR cleared and tried to step-out at the same time but the clearance spun back into Varney's path with the goal gaping and 700 Addicks drawing breath. Almost unbelievably, he lashed his 8-yard shot into the top tier of the stand where the Charlton fans were seated and you felt our chance of winning went with it. We continued to press, however, and Gray and Hudson both came close. 

With fifteen minutes left, QPR brought Ledesma on in midfield and started to play with some forward urgency which woke their docile crowd and five minutes later Blackstock got on the end of a cross to head high and wide of Weaver's dive for the winner. It was cruel blow and whilst the Addicks ploughed on you knew we were beaten.

All-in-all an encouraging display for Parkinson but this is a results business and he simply has to get one at the Valley on Saturday if he's still in charge. Gillespie had a fine debut and was probably my man of the match, although he didn't look entirely comfortable at right back after Sam came on with eight minutes to go. Racon and Semedo added urgency to central midfield and outpassed their opponents. Bouazza had a better game to but probably only as a result of seeing more of the ball.  Unfortunately we still looked toothless upfront. The back four played well enough save the two goals. Youga was possibly the weakest link but I might be singling him out unfairly here.

Saturday is another test and we need the win to get within a point of Southampton, although we are unlikely to get out of the bottom three as Watford are now three points clear with a much better goal difference.