Nicky Maynard scored the only goal of the game as Bristol City put the controversy of the 'phantom goal' behind them by beating QPR in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The Robins were accused of cheating by Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock at the weekend when Eagles striker Freddie Sears' strike was not awarded by referee Rob Shoebridge, despite clearly hitting the back of the net and rebounding out and City went on to win 1-0.

But Gary Johnson's side put the controversy to one side and maintained their unbeaten start to the season, with former Crewe striker Maynard notching his third goal in as many games with the winner 13 minutes from time.

City dominated the first half, but Rangers improved after the break and Adel Taarabt came closest for them when his strike rebounded off the post.

Rangers handed a debut to £3.5million summer signing Alejandro Faurlin, but the Argentinian was unable to unlock the Robins defence and the Londoners are still searching for their first league win of the season.

The Robins made a bright start with Danny Haynes and Marvin Elliott both trying their luck but failing to test Rangers keeper Radek Cerny.

And it took a fine save from Cerny to keep out Maynard's right-foot strike from the edge of the area after 12 minutes.

The Rs remained on the back foot and Cerny was called into action once again to palm away a header from Elliott and Haynes should have done better when he fired wide from 12 yards out.

The visitors were under relentless pressure and breathed a sigh of relief when former Derby defender Lewin Nyatanga headed over the bar.

But as the first half drew to a close Rangers started to look more comfortable and former Plymouth midfielder Akos Buzsaky let fly from long-range but his right-foot strike flashed over the bar.

Rangers were a different side after the break and Wayne Routledge had an excellent opportunity to break the deadlock but was denied from close range by Robins keeper Dean Gerken.

And the visitors were almost in front five minutes after the break when on-loan Tottenham midfielder Taarabt saw his close-range strike rebound off the post.

Taarabt was in the thick of the action once again two minutes later, but was unable to keep his long-range strike was off target.

Johnson introduced on-loan Rangers striker Andrius Velicka to make his debut after 63 minutes.

But the Lithuania international was on the field for only 11 minutes before picking up an injury.

However, City were in front with 13 minutes remaining when Haynes set up former Crewe frontman Maynard, who drilled a clinical right-foot finish into the top-right corner of the net to secure all three points.

Teams

Bristol City: Gerken, Skuse (Fontaine 37), McCombe, Nyatanga, Orr, Hartley, Elliott, Clarkson, McAllister (Velicka 64), Haynes, Maynard, Velicka (Johnson 75).

Subs Not Used: Basso, Akinde, Sproule, Brian Wilson.

Booked: McAllister, Nyatanga, Hartley.

Goals: Maynard 78.

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Hall, Stewart, Borrowdale, Routledge, Leigertwood, Faurlin (Helguson 84), Buzsaky, Taarabt (Vine 66), Agyemang (Pellicori 66).

Subs Not Used: Heaton, Mahon, Gorkss, Connolly.

Booked: Faurlin, Buzsaky, Stewart.

Att: 14,571

Ref: Phil Gibbs (West Midlands).