A controversial strike from Shabazz Baidoo means Luton and QPR will have to do it all again in ten days time at Kenilworth Road after they couldn't be separated in an entertaining FA Cup Third Round encounter at Loftus Road.

The Rangers substitute hit home the equalising goal in the second half to cancel out strikes from Warren Feeney and Rowan Vine.

However, Luton were left fuming as the striker looked as if he had handled the ball in the build up to the goal.

Despite strong protests from Luton players, referee Anthony Bates allowed the goal to stand, despite consulting with his assistant.

Ranger took a first half lead when Dexter Blackstock nodded home from close range to convert Cook's corner.

Luton were back on level terms just before the interval through Rowan Vine's 14th goal of the season, with Warren Feeney striking home from close range immediately after the restart.

With Portsmouth refusing permission for Dean Kiely to play in the FA Cup, Marlon Beresford returned to the starting line-up.

The absence of Carlos Edwards, following his transfer to Sunderland, meant Ahmet Brkovic kept his place on the right side of midfield.

Kevin Foley's absence meant Leon Barnett was forced into the right back slot as Chris Coyne returned to partner Russell Perrett in the centre of Luton's defence.

QPR made one change from the side that beat Colchester on Bank Holiday Monday as Jimmy Smith replaced striker Kevin Gallen.

QPR made a bright start and almost took the lead in the fourth minute when Jimmy Smith cracked a fierce drive from the edge of the area that sailed over the Luton crossbar.

The home side continued to insert pressure on the Luton defence and Rangers fans thought they should have had a penalty on 17 minutes when Smith was sent tumbling to the ground after a rash challenge from Steve Robinson.

Despite strong protests from the Rangers players, referee Anthony Bates waved away the appeals as Luton breathed a huge sigh of relief.

The torrential downpours were making playing conditions difficult as Luton struggled to stamp their authority on the game.

It wasn't until the 21st minute that the visitors managed a worthwhile opportunity as Feeney collected a short pass from Vine to fire a 22 yard shot straight into the arms of QPR goalkeeper Simon Royce.

However it was QPR that looked the more likely side to score and when they broke the deadlock on 32 minutes, it was little surprise, although the nature of the goal would have certainly infuriated Hatters boss Mike Newell.

It was Cook's corner that caused confusion in the Hatters defence which saw Blackstock nip in at the front post to nod home from close range.

The game was soon drifting into half time as QPR continued to sustain the pressure. However, the half took a twist just seconds before the interval as the Hatters got themselves back on level terms.

Some neat build up play from the visitors, involving Feeney and Richard Langley, eventually saw Ahmet Brkovic slip a neat ball to Vine, who calmly side footed an well executed shot from the edge of the area the nestled kindly into the corner of the net.

AT HALF TIME: QPR 1 V 1 LUTON

Luton made the perfect start to the second half when they got themselves in front just 48 seconds after the restart. Brkovic's optimistic cross from the right was pushed by Royce into the path of Feeney, who bundled the ball into the empty net.

Rangers almost responded immediately when on 49 minutes, Beresford failed to claim a long kick up field. As the Luton defence failed to clear the danger, Cook sent over a cross from the left which was turned over the crossbar by Blackstock, as the former Southampton striker failed to direct his effort into an empty net.

Luton had Dean Morgan to thank on 55 minutes when the midfielder cleared Blackstock's towering header off the line after Cook had delivered a pinpoint corner.

The Hatters continued to surge forward as Feeney almost grabbed his second of the game on 62 minutes when the striker fired narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the Rangers penalty area.

On 68 minutes, Feeney came close again as the visitors continued to enjoy the majority of possession. The Northern Ireland international raced onto Langley's through ball, but his first time shot from an acute angle was blocked by Damion Stewart.

A double substitution from QPR boss John Gregory almost had an immediate impact when Cook found space down the left flank to fiercely hit a low drive the flew straight into the arms of Beresford.

Controversy surrounded Rangers' equaliser as they bundled the ball into the net on 76 minutes. A Cook corner wasn't dealt with by the visitors' defence as Baidoo managed to scramble to ball over the line from close range.

However, Luton were left fuming as Baidoo seemingly used his arm to guide the ball beyond the reach of Beresford as Hatters players surrounded Bates.

Rangers went in search of a winner and it nearly came from Paul Furlong on 85 minutes when the striker fired an acute angle shot inches wide of the target.

Langley tried his luck with an ambitious 25 yard free kick in stoppage time, but it failed to hit the target, as both teams found themselves in the hat for the fourth round draw, a result which probably does neither team much good.

AT FULL TIME: QPR 2 V 2 LUTON

QPR: Royce, Bignot, Ward (Baidoo 72), Lomas (Bircham 72), Cook, Kanyuka, Stewart, Jones (Furlong 64), Blackstock, Smith, Mancienne

Subs not used: Cole, Rehman.

Bookings:

Luton: Beresford, Davis, Coyne, Perrett, Robinson, Vine, Feeney, Morgan, Langley, Brkovic, Barnett

Subs not used: Brill, O'Leary, Boyd, Keane, Holmes

Bookings: Barnett (83), Langley (90)

Referee: Mr A Bates

Attendance: