Bristol City missed several chances to kill off relegation rivals QPR and climb out of the bottom three as their First Division clash finished goalless.

Leading Robins scorer Ade twice went close to adding to his 15 goals but otherwise a scrappy encounter was dominated by the numerous passes which went astray.

Midway through the first half Akinbiyi sent a header from City's second corner against the near post and after the break he saw a more powerful header put behind by Karl Ready for yet another corner.

Late on the striker also slid towards a far-post ball from his forward partner Steve Torpey but was just inches away from a connection.

City were always carrying the action to Rangers but they could not make the final breakthrough.

Yet Rangers, who mounted few raids in the second half, could easily have gone away with all three points from an Iain Dowie chance right at the death.

Rangers went all out for an early goal and Ian Baraclough's header down was touched over the bar by young goalkeeper Steve Phillips.

It took a second corner before City managed to clear their line but gradually they came out on top in midfield with Brian Tinnion and overlapping wing-back Mickey Bell causing problems down the left side.

There was a moment of controversy midway through the first half when Danny Maddix received a cut on his face heading behind for the home side's first corner.

Maddix was sent off to have treatment and was still trying to get back on the pitch when Akinbiyi stole in to hit the post.

Teams

Bristol City: Phillips, Brennan, Bell, Locke, Shail, Carey, Murray (Goodridge 73), Tistimetanu, Akinbiyi, Torpey, Tinnion.

Subs Not Used: Andersen, Hewlett.

Booked: Torpey.

QPR: Miklosko, Heinola (Murray 60), Baraclough, Morrow, Ready, Maddix, Plummer, Peacock, Dowie, Gallen, Kiwomya (Scully 77).

Subs Not Used: Rowland.

Booked: Ready, Kiwomya.

Att: 13,841

Ref: J Kirkby (Sheffield).