Phil Jevons recovered from his 'calf injury' to sit on the bench. David Soames' midweek hat-trick for the reserves proved worthless as Darren Mansaram was given a place in the 16 instead.
QPR's injury problems were shown by their team selection and their performance on the pitch. Town dominated them in the first half and should have gone in at the break at least 2-0 up.
Iffy Onuora headed against the bar from a swinging Barnard cross after just four minutes. Maybe Iffy was aiming for the corner flag? In fairness to Iffy, he was putting himself about a bit and proving to be a nuisance to Carlisle and Palmer.
The swirling conditions prevented both sides from playing football, if anything the wind aided Town against a less physical side.
Rangers 'keeper Chris Day proved why he's so highly rated with a fine save from Des Hamilton's long range effort. A combination of the wind and swerve wrong footed the ex-Spurs stopper but he recovered in time to parry and then claim the ball.
Premiership referee Paul Danson proved his class throughout, refusing Town a blatant penalty when Onuora was pushed over by a Rangers defender in the box. Anyone in the ground could see it was a penalty, but not Mr Danson. Not Mr Danson who was stood at most 10 yards away from the incident. His refusal to stamp out the QPR playacting also saw the game nearing farical levels.
Onuora was not the only one singled out by QPR for rough treatment. Jason Crowe found himself on the wrong end of some nasty tackles. Crowe, arguably playing out of position, was looking head and shoulders above the field and is finally showing his class that Portsmouth fans promised us.
On the half hour Kevin Gallen went through late on Tony Crane. The big defender went down before lunging up and pushing Gallen in the chest, that's mature, Tony. In a stroke of fortune Mr Danson used common sense, possibly for the first time in his life, to issue both yellow cards. That yellow was Crane's 6th of the season, how many could have been avoided? The excuse that he's a defender and will pick up cautions is not good enough. He's picking them up for petulant strops like yesterday. Yes, the tackle was bad. Yes, Gallen deserved to be booked. No, the reaction wasn't needed.
As the half teetered out, Town won a series of corners. The only telling contribution was Crane's powerful header that forced Day to tip over.
Five minutes into the second half Campbell was dragged down near the touchline. Campbell was given serious problems to Martin Rowlands down the right side and it was no suprise to see the ex-Brentford man subbed after 65 minutes.
From the free-kick Darren Barnard swung in a powerful curler that clipped the crossbar before bouncing away to safety. 'Keeper Day didn't even see it.
Danson continued his joke officating. Boulding had his shirt pulled back for a good 20 yards before he was tumbled just inside the box, Danson gave a freekick just outside the box! The kick was wasted in usual Town fashion.
QPR were much better in the second half, although they never looked like scoring once. Aidan Davison may never get an easier afternoon in goal.
With 18 minutes to go the disappointing Iain Anderson was replaced by Marcel Cas. The Dutchman took Anderson's place on the left wing.
On 80 minutes Town scored the only goal and it came straight from Route One. Onuora nodded down the forward punt for Boulding, who turned well outside the box before firing across Day and into the back of the net. Boulding's strike was his 10th of the season. A striker on 10 before Christmas? Amazing!
The final 10 minutes went with a mild whimper. Rangers offered a slight rally but it was hardly testing. Town were happy to bung Iffy in the corner and shield the ball.
Man of the Match - Jason Crowe. Two weeks running 'Crowey' has been our best player by a mile. Playing in midfield he got everywhere, a real box-to-box performance. Despite his size he didn't shy from a single tackle and at times added a little class to the attack. His pace is a wonderful asset on the break and it's a shame that Paul Groves refuses to give him a regular position in the team.