QPR’s upturn halted by defeat at MK Dons

MK Dons 2 QPR 0

QPR’s slim play-off hopes faded further as they suffered another defeat.

They dominated much of the first half but switched off at the start of the second, and Dean Lewington’s 49th-minute strike from near the edge of the penalty area put MK Dons ahead.

The Championship strugglers were denied a late second when keeper Alex Smithies saved a penalty from Josh Murphy, who was fouled by Paul Konchesky.

But Ben Reeves made no mistake with an injury-time penalty after Karl Henry was adjudged to have fouled Rob Hall.

It marked another low point in a miserable season for Rangers, who have won just four of their 17 matches since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink took over as manager in December.

They created a number of chances during a largely one-sided first half.

Conor Washington’s early shot dropped to Rangers skipper Nedum Onuoha, who was unable to apply the finish and keeper David Martin was able to gather.

The fit-again Martin also kept out an effort from Nasser El Khayati, who was restored to the starting line-up along with Washington and Daniel Tozser, while Matt Phillips was dropped to the bench along with striker Sebastian Polter.

As Rangers continued to threaten, Massimo Luongo and El Khayati fired narrowly wide, Tozser curled a free-kick over the bar and James Perch headed over from Tozser’s corner.

At the other end, Darren Potter shot over after being set up by Murphy, and Anthony Kay headed over in first-half injury time.

But Rangers were relatively comfortable before being punished for a lousy start to the second half.

Onuoha cleared Alex Revell’s header off the line and keeper Smithies pushed away a shot from Jonny Williams before Lewington struck.

Hasselbaink responded by bringing on Phillips, who blazed a shot over the bar as his team searched for an equaliser, before Polter was introduced too.

But Rangers could not find a goal and Murphy would have made it 2-0 had he not been denied by Perch’s superb last-ditch challenge, and had Smithies not kept out his penalty.

Perch was at the centre of the action again when Lewington appeared to use his hand to block the defender’s shot, but Rangers’ appeals for a penalty were waved away.

MK Dons, on the other hand, were awarded two spot-kicks in the final minutes, with Reeves’ goal sealing their win.