91�ȱ�

QPR boss Neil Warnock feels his side's late FA Cup equaliser at MK Dons could represent a change in their fortunes.

Substitute Heidar Helguson struck in the 89th minute with QPR down to 10 men after Alejandro Faurlin was taken off with all three substitutes used.

"People say did we want a replay - well yes, we did," said Warnock, whose side are 17th in the Premier League.

"At 1-0 down with 10 men in the closing minutes it's a great result. It could be the turning point of the season."

The 1-1 draw means the teams meet again in a replay at Loftus Road on 17 January, which will allow suspended captain Joey Barton to serve another game of his three-match ban and return for the home match against Wigan on 21 January.

Warnock, incensed at the FA disciplinary commission's refusal to overturn Barton's recent red card against Norwich, said: "All credit to the boys, they kept going and I am delighted to be in the hat, especially as it means captain Joey will be back for the Wigan game, which is more important really.

"You need a bit of luck in the FA Cup - all the big teams do. The early rounds in the FA Cup are the most difficult from what I've been involved with.

"It was a glue-pot of a pitch and we came out a lot more positive in the second half. We had a couple of great chances. If we had gone in front, we would have won the game."

Meanwhile, Warnock confirmed he expected to sign players before next Sunday's visit to Newcastle.

"We are so short at the moment, we are looking to improve the squad," he said.

"They were exhausted in the dressing room, and you can't give any more than that. A lot of teams would feel sorry for themselves, but we are in the hat."