Half-time: Brighton 1 QPR 0

Anthony Knockaert’s free-kick on the stroke of half-time put Brighton ahead at the Amex Stadium.

The visitors were on top for much of the first half and Conor Washington, restored to the starting line-up and looking for his first QPR goal, had a chance to put them ahead.

Massimo Luongo’s ball into the box fell to the striker, who turned and fired over the bar.

Rangers created other first-half openings, with Alejandro Faurlin firing over and delivering a corner that was headed straight at keeper David Stockdale by Clint Hill.

Stockdale was also called into action to keep out a shot from Matt Phillips after the QPR wide-man had closed down Bruno.

Promotion-chasing Brighton, who could move back into the top two if they win, barely troubled the R’s before James Wilson blasted narrowly wide 10 minutes before the break.

Rangers, who have played well so far, responded strongly and Phillips sent a shot just over.

Albion finished the half strongly, though, and Alex Smithies was well positioned to keep out Lewis Dunk’s header from Knockaert’s corner.

But Smithies was unable to rescue his team after Nedum Onuoha was adjudged to have fouled Jiri Skalak. Knockaert beautifully curled the resulting free-kick into the top corner.