By Chris O'Brien
November 27 2004

Cardiff City fell to a fourth straight defeat, outplayed at Loftus Road. Danny Shittu's first-half strike separated the two sides as the Bluebirds showed a distinct lack of quality as the relegation battle runs on.

"Bigger than a London derby" was how Gareth Ainsworth described the early kick-off clash between Queens Park Rangers and City at Loftus Road, with the Rangers winger anxious to prove a point to Lennie Lawrence who brought him to Ninian Park on loan over a year ago. However, the Bluebirds showed little of the passion and commitment associated with such capital clashes and simply looked second best as Danny Shittu's first half strike separated the two sides.

Kick-off for the lunchtime clash was delayed by 15 minutes due to crowd contention. Much of the 1,200 travelling Bluebirds following will have wished they stayed in the Welsh capital as they witnessed their side lose a fourth consecutive game. Rangers were simply the better side and the three points will surely help aid absent manager Ian Holloway back to health more quickly. BTTB wish him a swift recovery.

Cardiff huffed and puffed throughout but didn't force the Rangers 'keeper into one save. Shocking, especially when you consider the attacking football promised after the 4-1 demolition job over West Ham United - we haven't won since, and have found the net just three times in the last five games.

Shittu's strike came on 23 minutes and proved revenge for QPR as the two sides met for the first-time since the 2003 Play-Off final at the Millennium Stadium. The towering centre-half sent a viscous strike past Warner, skipper for the day, from a Kevin Gallen corner. The goal followed the defender being forced to change his blooded shirt following a clash with Alan Lee, who was booked. Parry was also yellow carded for City later in the match.

QPR should be worried how they won this game by only the narrowest of margins. Chances were squandered, none more so than Furlong's close-range miss with 15 minutes to go. Cardiff's best chance came from a Daniel Gabbidon as he headed over Day's goal, but excellent defending from man of the match Shittu kept the Bluebirds at bay.

City fans would have kept a close eye on today's clash at the Priestfield Stadium. Next weekend's opponents Gillingham came from behind to pull off a crucial 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest. Thou the result keeps Cardiff out of the bottom 3, it leaves both the Gills and Forest only one point behind Lennie Lawrence's side. There are no excuses next Saturday for the Bluebirds.

Full Time - Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Cardiff City
Attendance - 15,146