Peterborough United thought they were celebrating their first win in the Coca-Cola Championship after Craig Mackail-Smith scored from close-range, but the offside flag curtailed the celebrations and Posh were forced to settle for a point.

QPR new signing Ben Watson registered the first effort on goal as he let fly from a 25-yard free-kick, but goalkeeper Joe Lewis made a routine save.

Lewis was well placed to deny Adel Taarabt on seven minutes as the Hoops continued to dominate the early stages at Loftus Road.

Aaron Mclean glanced a header wide from a Tom Williams cross on 10 minutes before Lewis and Taarabt resumed their battle, again the goalkeeper winning the duel as the loanee fired goal-wards.

The home side were certainly intent on getting their shots off with Leigertwood the latest to try his luck, the shot going well wide of the target.

Darren Ferguson's men were, as ever, dangerous when attacking though and Craig Mackail-Smith saw a shot deflect inches wide of the target on the quarter hour mark after a spell of sustained pressure from the visitors.

The pressure was rewarded on 17 minutes as Aaron MCLEAN glanced home a superb header after an excellent cross from former QPR defender Tom Williams.

Chris Whelpdale, making his first start of the season, tested Cerny from distance with the goalkeeper pushing the skidding effort around the post.

The lively Taarabt fired over the crossbar on 25 minutes after finding some space in midfield as Jim Magilton's men tried to settle after the shock of falling behind.

Mclean fired an ambitious volley from a tight angle over the bar on 29 minutes after a glorious pass from George Boyd.

The hosts continued not to be frightened by long range shots, Connolly the latest to have a go, causing more panic in the stand behind the goal than for goalkeeper Lewis.

Zakuani was cautioned for a foul on loanee striker Jay Simpson on 34 minutes and moments later the home side were on level terms as the ball fell to Simpson who in turn found the unmarked ROUTLEDGE who slotted the ball into the net from close-range.

Moments before the equaliser, Posh could have been 2-0 in front after Mackail-Smith found the unmarked Frecklington, but he took a heavy touch and Connolly got back to clear. Posh had appeals for a penalty turned down less than 60 seconds after the Rangers strike as Whelpdale appeared to be felled in the area, but the referee was unmoved.

Hogan Ephraim fired wide from a tight angle on 42 minutes after bursting into the penalty area past Frecklington as the home side tried to end the half with a flurry.

Half-time: QPR 1-1 Posh

Mackail-Smith tested Cerny on 49 minutes with a fierce half-volley after a good link-up with strike partner Mclean as Posh made a bright start to the second period.

Whelpdale was looking strong on the right hand side of midfield and his fine run and pass created a shooting opportunity for Frecklington, but he dragged his effort wide.

Posh were fortunate that midfielder Ben Watson didn't get hold of his shot how he desired on 57 minutes after making the most of a lucky ricochet before the hosts made a double change.

Posh responded in kind with Boyd making way for summer signing Tommy Rowe.

Toumani Diagouraga was superbly denied by the legs of Cerny on 67 minutes, the save even more special because it took a deflection en-route.

Posh were piling on the pressure with Craig Morgan seeing a header go across the six-yard box while Rowe's goal-bound shot took a deflection that the officials failed to spot.

Frecklington curled a shot wide of the target after good pressure on the ball from Posh, forcing the home side further and further back into their defensive zone when in possession.

Captain Russell Martin saw a free-kick tipped over the bar by Cerny on 81 minutes, but in truth, the effort was fairly comfortable for the goalkeeper to save.

Jay Simpson squandered a presentable opportunity to make it 2-1 on 84 minutes, but after a good first touch, he blazed over.

At the other end, Rowe only needed to connect with a Williams centre to give Posh the lead, but the midfielder, who came on as a substitute early in the second period, missed it completely.

The Posh hearts were in mouths on 88 minutes as Zakuani met a Buzsaky cross, but he thankfully headed it wide of the target. Moments later, and Posh thought they were ahead as Mackail-Smith slotted home from close-range after Cerny spilled a Batt shot, but the offside flag curtailed the celebrations. Batt was cautioned for a foul in stoppage time.

Final Score: QPR 1-1 Posh

Attendance: 11,814 (1,094 Posh fans)