Feeble showing from Rangers sees them succumb to two Preston penalties

QPR 0 Preston NE 2

Lee Wallace gave away two penalties as Preston earned a second win in west London in a matter of weeks.

North End recently upset Brentford at their new stadium and here were the better side for the most part on a hugely disappointing night for the Hoops, who failed to land a shot on target.

Both spot-kicks were confidently dispatched by Daniel Johnson and Scott Sinclair, to make it five games without a win for Rangers since the opening day of the season.

They missed their injured summer signing Lyndon Dykes up front, while Macauley Boone, their import from Charlton, did not get the service he needed.

More might have been expected of Ilias Chair and Bright Osayi-Samuel, who were only fitfully involved.

Albert Adomah was brought on to add some zest but could not bend the game to the home side’s will, although he did strike the outside of a post late on after outmuscling the last defender to give him a clear sight at goal.

In a first half not exactly overflowing with major flashpoints, Preston’s greater urgency gave them the edge and set the pattern for the night.

Their lead came in the 24th minute when former Chelsea youth player Sinclair – who passed through the QPR front gates as a loan player all of 13 years ago - was tripped on the edge of the area by Wallace after a dart into the box through a clutch of bodies.

Johnson dispatched the kick after a very OCD routine involving pacing out of run-up – his low shot sending keeper Seng Dieng the wrong way.

Dieng had to get down low to an effort from Brad Potts later in the half, but there were few chances at either end.

At the start of the second half, Emil Riis Jakobsen made a hash of a clear opening, but his pace caught out Wallace again as the striker cut across the Rangers left-back as he was about to clear to earn a second penalty on the hour. This time Sinclair took it and sent it unerringly to Deng’s left.

Yoann Barbet curled a free-kick just over as Rangers tried to summon up a response, but it was a feeble effort, truth be told, and they will be desperate to make amends against Birmingham City on Saturday.

QPR: Dieng – Kakay, Dickie, Barbet, Wallace – Ball (Adomah 58), Cameron – Osayi-Samuel, Carroll, Chair (Willock 71) – Bonne. Subs not used: Kelly, Kane, Masterson, Hamalainen, Bettache