Queens Park Misses Chance for Top Spot

LONDON — The Queens Park Rangers were held to a scoreless tie by Watford Saturday and missed a chance to catch co-leaders Liverpool and Arsenal at the top of the English League First Division soccer standings.

The First Division program was cut from the regular 10 matches to just 6 because of England’s upcoming European Championship qualifier against Yugoslavia on Wednesday.

The Rangers were the only team in action among the top eight in the standings.

Unbeaten at home on its artificial surface and playing a Watford club that had lost its last five matches, Queens Park was expected to win handily.

But the Rangers failed to penetrate Watford’s defense as visiting goalie Tony Coton had an outstanding match. As a result, the Rangers had to be content with just one point, giving them 30 in 14 matches.