Battling Rangers were forced to play for the last 34 minutes with only 10 men
but were just six minutes away from holding on for a 0-0 draw against
promotion-chasing Wolves at Loftus Road.
Skipper Karl Ready was given his marching orders after just 56 minutes of this
clash when he picked up his second booking after clattering into the back of
Havard Flo.
However Rangers' 10 men put up a brave rearguard only to be thwarted just
seconds after Wolves had also been reduced to 10 men.
Wolves fullback Mark Atkins was sent off after hitting Rangers youngster Leon
Jeanne in the face.
But just seconds later Michael Gilkes crossed from the left to Steve Sedgley
who headed the visitors' winner.
The first half was a disappointing affair with few chances created as the
defences dominated.
Wolves' best chance of the opening half was in fact gifted to them by
Rangers.
Ready's back pass to Ludek Miklosko saw the QPR goalkeeper mis-hit his
clearance straight to Robbie Keane but the Wolves striker somehow put his effort
wide.
George Kulcsar and Kevin Gallen both had long-range efforts just wide for
Rangers while Jeanne - a problem for Wolves all afternoon - tested keeper Mike
Stowell after beating two men and hitting a low shot from just inside the box.
For Wolves, Keane shot just over the upright while both Neil Emblen and Paul
Simpson had long-range efforts which flew past the post.
Wolves almost grabbed the lead on 53 minutes when Emblen put in full back
Gilkes on the overlap but his shot was beautifully palmed away by Miklosko.
Jeanne had two efforts saved either side of Ready's sending off but their best
chance came on 67 minutes.
Chris Plummer played the ball forward and Rob Steiner held off Dean Richards
before shooting past Stowell but seeing his effort fly across the face of goal.
Wolves continued to press as the game wore on and Simpson was denied only by a
superb late tackle by Matthew Rose before Sedgley nodded home on 84 minutes.
Rangers pushed forward to the end and Plummer headed a corner wide before Iain
Dowie had a penalty claim turned down as Wolves held out.
Teams:
QPR: Miklosko, Breacker, Baraclough, Rose, Ready, Plummer,
Kulcsar (Murray 86), Peacock, Steiner (Dowie 82),Gallen (Kiwomya 86), Jeanne.
Sent Off: Ready (56).
Booked: Ready, Plummer, Kiwomya, Kulcsar.
Wolverhampton: Stowell, Atkins, Gilkes, Sedgley, Richards, Curle,
Simpson (Corica 82), Emblen, Flo, Keane (Robinson 87), Osborn.
Subs Not Used: Connolly.
Sent Off: Atkins (83).
Booked: Osborn.
Goals: Sedgley 84.
Att: 13,150.
Ref: M Pierce (Portsmouth).
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