Birmingham City v QPR

standings, had enjoyed a smoother passage to the
final, dismantling Brighton & Hove Albion 6-2 over
two legs and, after initial nerves, made a better
fist of things in the capital. They had a penalty
appeal waved away when EFL Young Player of the
Year Will Hughes tumbled shortly before the halfhour
mark and forced Rob Green into a first save
when Jamie Ward tried his luck from a free kick,
shortly after QPR’s pre-game injury question mark
Niko Kranjcar had been withdrawn for Armand
Traore.
Austin squandered a chance from 12 yards with
57 minutes on the clock, bobbling an effort wide of
the target before the pendulum, which had been
tilting towards the East Midlands club, well and truly
swung in the Rams’ favour. Gary O’Neil was shown a
straight red card for hauling down Johnny Russell
as he bore down on goal.
In the face of an onslaught and great adversity,
Green stood firm between the sticks and produced
a trio of saves to deny Craig Bryson, Simon Dawkins
and Chris Martin as victory for Steve McClaren’s
men seemed an inevitable case of when not if.
However, the team that finished fourth, instead
of going quietly, went up – not out – with a bang.
The quality of perseverance from Junior Hoilett
down the right was not matched by a tired-looking
delivery – only for a chance to arise from a fatiguing
Richard Keogh clearance.
His limp touch fell directly into the path of Zamora
and the seasoned frontman, without hesitation,
planted a finish worthy of promotion into the corner
before submerging himself into a sea of blue and
white pandemonium. What time remained slipped
away from Derby as QPR reclaimed their place in
the Premier League.
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