Wigan's hopes of snatching the title from Sunderland were all but ended by a stubborn QPR side in a goalless draw at the JJB Stadium.

Ian Holloway was on a scouting mission in Portugal and missed his heavily-depleted side hold out for a point against the wasteful Latics, who remain second after Ipswich were held to a 1-1 draw at Leeds.

Wigan named an unchanged line-up following last week's 2-0 win at Leicester, but QPR made four changes.

Goalkeeper Generoso Rossi was handed his first start, while Georges Santos, Adam Miller and Marcus Bean - recalled from a loan spell at Swansea on Friday - also came in.

Wigan forward Brett Ormerod, who kept his starting place after bagging a brace at the Walkers Stadium, almost made it three in two matches after just five minutes.

He found space down the right and cut inside before firing a low shot straight at Rossi.

The Latics were dominating the early stages, with captain Matt Jackson sending a header inches over the crossbar from a Graham Kavanagh free-kick shortly afterwards.

Rossi looked slightly nervous on the quarter-hour mark as he opted to punch clear a 25-yard attempt from Lee McCulloch.

Scotland international McCulloch was causing problems for the visitors defence, coming close again with a header from six yards and another shot from distance as Wigan continued to pile forward.

John Filan, who signed a new two-year contract at the JJB Stadium this week, was called into action for the first time after 26 minutes as he got down quickly to gather a low drive from Shabazz Baidoo.

Wigan were straight back on the attack, though, with Ormerod firing over from close range and Jason Roberts sending an effort just past the left-hand upright from his first sight of goal.

Bean almost marked his return to QPR with a goal as the half-time whistle approached but Filan parried his shot to safety.

Paul Jewell's men started the second half in the same vein, looking dangerous from every attack.

Jimmy Bullard crossed for Ormerod but the on-loan Southampton striker's effort cleared the crossbar before Kavanagh curled a free-kick into the arms of Rossi.

Roberts came agonisingly close to finding the goal his side craved in the 65th minute but his curling shot from just inside the box came back off the woodwork.

Shortly after Ian Breckin had lashed a shot high and wide, Jewell brought on leading scorer Nathan Ellington for the unlucky Ormerod.

If anything, Wigan lost their attacking impetus following the introduction of the 23-goal striker.

But Ellington very nearly snatched the headlines at the death when his stunning volley crashed back off a post.

Teams

Wigan Filan, Eaden, Breckin, Jackson, McMillan, Jarrett (Teale 63), Bullard, Kavanagh, McCulloch, Roberts, Ormerod (Ellington 72).

Subs Not Used: Walsh, Mahon, Wright.

QPR Rossi, Bignot, Shittu, Santos, Padula, Cureton, Miller (Edghill 83), Bean, Cook (Brown 68), Gallen, Baidoo (Townsend 55).

Subs Not Used: Day, Kanyuka.

Att: 12,007

Ref: P Danson (Leicestershire).