QPR 1 - 1 Wigan

Loic Remy's stunning breakaway strike looked to have secured a precious three points for 10 - man QPR but for a last gasp Shaun Maloney free-kick which ensured a subdued Wigan came away from Loftus Road with an unlikely point.

A closely matched first half turned in Wigan's favour when Bobby Zamora was dismissed for a needlessly reckless challenge on Jordi Gomez. Yet the 11 men of Wigan struggled to break down a disciplined QPR side whose defence was much improved from the one which capitulated away to Fulham a week ago.

Remy's outstanding effort breathed life into an uneventful second half and looked like being the winner until Stephane Mbia's foul gave Maloney the invitation he needed to score a magnificent equaliser with almost the last kick of the game.

The draw deepens QPR's relegation worries, with Harry Redknapp's side now seven points adrift of safety with just six games left to play. Wigan stay in the bottom three after an unconvincing display against a side who played the majority of the game with ten men, lacking in invention and a cutting edge. Roberto Martinez will take comfort in the knowledge that his side still have a game in hand on their fellow relegation rivals as Wigan stretched their unbeaten run to four games.

QPR started brightly, Andros Townsend's penetrating runs down the right flank getting in behind  Wigan back four and Remy's clever movement in the box nearly resulted in an early goal, peeling away from his marker only to scuff his effort having got on the end of the Tottenham loanee's delivery.

Both sides showed clear intent to the opening exchanges, QPR edging a back and forth period as they pressed high up the pitch and came forward at pace.The closest to an opening goal came after some neat play between the excellent Townsend and Junior Hoilett, whose knockdown fell to Remy on the edge of the box, his long range shot hitting the outside of the post. Wigan gradually grew into the game, the composed passing of James McCarthy bringing Maloney and Aruna Kone into the game whilst the Irishman made a number of well timed interceptions in front of his defence.

The task ahead of QPR was made none the easier in the 18th minute when Zamora's dangerously high boot caught the side of Gomez's face. After consulting with his linesman Scott Ledger referee Phil Dowd was left with little alternative but to brandish a red card, much to the disbelief of Zamora and the home crowd. Fuelled by their numerical advantage Wigan dominated possession for the remainder of the half and should have taken the lead, Callum McManaman twice firing wide from good positions.

Redknapp reshuffled his side at half time, Nedum Onuoha replacing Armand Traore in defence and QPR matched Wigan throughout the second half, posing a greater threat from set pieces. Wigan endeavoured to find an opening but were left frustrated by a well marshaled back four, Clint Hill making a number of important blocks as Franco Di Santo and Kone were forced out wide in their search for a goal.

The introduction of Adel Taarabt gave QPR a refreshed attacking impetus but the inconsistent winger was typically aggravating, wasting a number of set pieces and failing to put the ball into the box after a tenacious run down the left.

The breakthrough came from a poorly taken Wigan free-kick inside the QPR half, deflected into the path of M'bia who bombarded forward at pace. With a sea of Wigan players closing in around him M'bia delicately laid the ball off to the on running Remy who got his just rewards for a determined display, powerfully side footing a stunning strike well beyond the reach of Joel Blazquez.

Looking to close the game out Redknapp replaced Remy with the industrious Jamie Mackie and the points looked secure until M'bia's poorly timed foul on the edge of the box gave Wigan a final opportunity to find an equaliser. Having seen Gomez waste a free-kick moments earlier Maloney stepped up and hit a sublime, swerving freekick over the QPR wall. Replays show that Taarabt's decision to turn his back on the ball was costly and will no doubt incense Redknapp, who now knows that his side are all but down.