Queens Park Rangers beat Leeds United 1-0 on Saturday afternoon thanks to a second-half free header by striker Charlie Austin as he came off the bench to hand the hosts all three points.

The result saw QPR rise into the top half of the Championship table, but Leeds dropped down to 17th after a disappointing afternoon.

QPR start on the front foot

The hosts started off on the front foot and Leeds debutant Liam Bridcutt gave away a free-kick but Alejandro Faurlin hit it over the bar from 35 yards out. 

Stuart Dallas had Leeds' first chance of the game as he fired over after collecting a pass from Lewis Cook on his chest, Chris Wood wasted the best chance of the opening stages as he rounded Rob Green but also saw his shot rise over the bar.

The hosts' best opening came when defender Grant Hall missed the target from close range from a corner.

Some great defending from Charlie Taylor made sure Marco Silvestri remaind unthreatened in the Leeds goal, and Michael Petrasso hit the rebound over the bar after seeing his inital shot saved.

Austin opens the scoring early on

After a chance for Leeds for Mirco Antenucci who was set free down the right and drilled a low cross all the way through the box for Dallas to strike over, QPR opened the scoring.

Two minutes after he came off the bench Austin found himself criminally unmarked inside the Leeds box from a Faurlin corner and simply headed home to put the hosts into the lead.

Austin then went close again moments later from Matty Phillips' deep free-kick. The hosts piled on the pressure and Silvestri was forced into a stunning save to beat away Austin's header at the near post.

Leeds fail to find a way back into the game

The hosts continued to press as Faurlin curled wide from 25 yards after being set up by Phillips before the latter came close to adding to the lead, but his effort went wide.

Silvestri had to be alert and kept Leeds in the game when he palmed away an effort from Tjaronn Chery as the R's substitute's drive looked destined for the bottom corner.

Lee Erwin, who came on with 10 minutes to go, forced Green into a save with a half-volley from the wing, but time was running out for the visitors.

Leeds continued to try and grab an equaliser as Wood fired over after being found in space by Cook, who also dragged a shot wide after being found by Dallas.

They almost had the opening they needed late on in the game as a low cross found Jordan Botaka, but the ball was cleared from the feet of the in-form Leeds man with the goal gaping.

Despite the late pressure from Leeds the hosts hung on to claim a well-deserved victory.

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About the author
Russ Vernon
Freelance Broadcast/Print Journalist | Commentator for hire