A 49th-minute Micky Evans header gave Plymouth Argyle a 2-1 win and condemned Queen's Park Rangers to their fourth consecutive Coca-Cola Championship defeat.

Evans' third goal of the season sealed the win after Paul Wotton had given the Pilgrims the lead before Paul Furlong pulled a goal back for Rangers, who almost claimed a late point.

The home side took the lead in the 13th minute when recent signing Bjarni Gudjonsson, making his first start for Bobby Williamson's side, played the ball to Wotton from the right and the defender smacked a powerful long-range shot that found the top corner of keeper Chris Day's net.

But Plymouth's joy was cut short four minutes later when they were reduced to 10 men as defender Graham Coughlan was sent off for violent conduct after a poor challenge on Paul Furlong.

However, Ian Holloway's side could not make the extra man count and the game became littered with fouls.

QPR's Marc Bircham was next in the book after the half-hour mark for a foul on David Friio before Georges Santos had his name taken for clattering Evans.

Santos received his marching orders six minutes before half-time after receiving a second yellow for a tackle on Friio as Plymouth deservedly went in at the break 1-0 up.

Holloway replaced Adam Miller with on-loan Southampton striker Leon Best for the second half in an effort to give Rangers more attacking impetus.

But, unfortunately for the visitors, it was Plymouth who doubled their lead as Evans nodded in Paul Connolly's cross from the left on 49 minutes for the striker's third goal of the season.

Rangers got back into the game four minutes later through Furlong when Kevin Gallen's free-kick found the veteran striker, who drilled a low shot past Romain Larrieu.

Plymouth spurned a glorious chance to give themselves some breathing space on the hour mark.

Peter Gilbert's inviting cross was met by Marino Keith but the striker, who had been recalled to the Pilgrims' starting line-up, volleyed wide from close in.

QPR were competing better in the second period and Gallen brought a rare save out of Larrieu with a long-range effort before the French keeper kept out a Furlong header.

Holloway threw on Richard Edghill and Gareth Ainsworth in an attempt to salvage a point and Larrieu had to be alert to keep out a Bircham strike as QPR pressed for an equaliser.

Larrieu again came to Plymouth's rescue deep into injury time, parrying Martin Rowlands' shot from inside the area as the Pilgrims held on to claim a first league win in three games.

Teams

Plymouth Larrieu, Connolly, Doumbe, Coughlan, Gilbert, Capaldi, Friio, Wotton, Gudjonsson, Keith, Evans (Crawford 72).

Subs Not Used: Hodges, Lasley, Adams, Norris.

Sent Off: Coughlan (17).

Booked: Wotton, Friio.

Goals: Wotton 13, Evans 49.

QPR Day, Bignot, Shittu, Santos, Padula (Edghill 70), Miller (Best 45), Rowlands, Gallen, Cook (Ainsworth 73), Bircham, Furlong.

Subs Not Used: Bean, McLeod.

Sent Off: Santos (40).

Booked: Bircham, Santos, Padula.

Goals: Furlong 53.

Att: 19,535

Ref: T Leake (Lancashire).