Frustrated McClaren says referee cost QPR

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QPR manager Steve McClaren claimed referee Peter Bankes cost his side after awarding Leeds a penalty which Kemar Roofe converted to give the hosts a 2-1 comeback win at Elland Road.

Rangers withstood a fast start by Leeds and took the lead when Nahki Wells coolly finished past Bailey Peacock-Farrell on a one-on-one.

But Roofe equalised on the stroke of half-time and then had the opportunity to complete the turnaround after Bankes adjudged Toni Leistner had handled a ball over the top.

The Leeds striker duly sent Joe Lumley the wrong way from the spot to give his side a fourth straight Championship victory and leave McClaren unhappy with the official.

“It was a poor decision for the penalty, a very, very poor decision,” he said. “It’s cost us a result.

“Toni was adamant it didn’t touch his hand and the referee’s position – wow. He’s got fantastic eyes. He can see through people I think to see a handball.

“We go away very disappointed with the result but proud of the players in terms of their performance.”

Bankes’ decision to award Leeds a penalty ended a 58-game wait for a spot-kick.

McClaren is convinced the Yorkshire club have the staying power to maintain a promotion challenge.

“There is big pressure and expectation and they’ve got a manager with the experience to handle that,” he said. “That’s what they’re doing.

“I think they won ugly today and that’s what you need to do when you’re going for promotion.

“You’re starting to see six, seven, eight teams coming through – Aston Villa being one of them and I expect Stoke to as well.

“There’s a lot of big clubs and only three can go up. There will be a lot of disappointed clubs with big expectations that won’t make it.

“But Leeds are going to be up there, without a shadow of a doubt.”