QPR Development Squad continued their unbeaten start to pre-season in a pulsating 2-2 draw against Winchester City at Charters Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon with two trialists on target for the R’s.

Winchester City arrived with a 100% record in pre-season and will play in the Southern League Division 1 South this season. Alex Wilkie, who featured for roughly an hour in this match, played for the Citizens last season on loan.

Paul Furlong’s men came into the fixture following wins over Oxford City and Chelmsford City, and things started very well as Trialist B continued where he left off and scored a second goal from range in as many weeks on the 12th minute.

The first half was a war of attrition in the midfield with Trialist B, Wilkie, and O’Brien getting into several duels as the ball remained locked down the centre of the pitch.

The R’s protected their advantage well with Joel Halliday in goal not having much to do all half, and it got even better just minutes after the restart with the rapid Rico Kennedy doing very well to finally get Jaiden Putman into the game who provided a perfect cross for Trialist C to convert from close range, doubling Rangers’ advantage.

Wholesale changes were made at the hour mark, and a fresh 11 was on (with the exception of Halliday). Rangers continued to control the tempo with Lorent Talla dominating proceedings in the centre of the pitch.

With 15 minutes left, the R’s were given a golden opportunity to put the game to bed, after a City foul gave the ref no choice but to point to the spot. Talla stepped up but uncharacteristically sent his spot kick wide.

This spurred something in the hosts as they charged down the other end on a counter attack with a cross finding Olly Balmer at the far post who touched it home to set up a grandstand finish.

The R’s attempted to compose themselves and almost made it three but Winchester City dramatically levelled right at the death as Oscar McCulloch went on a solo run, beating off Adjetey-Brew and then tucking it beyond an outstretched Halliday to make 2-2.

QPR Development Squad are back in action on Tuesday as they head over to Hanwell Town. Live coverage will be provided as always on QPR_DS (X).

QPR DS: Halliday, Putman (Friel), Leahy (Adjetey-Brew), Wilkie (McDowell), McCann (Cuthbert), Trialist A (Dyke), Aoraha (Talla), O’Brien (Neziri), Kennedy (Coomes), Trialist B (12’) (Trialist D), Trialist C (52’) (Trialist E)