Queens Park Rangers came back from a goal down to overcome 10-man Bristol City in the Championship with goals in the third minute of stoppage time in both halves.
Alex Scott gave a much-changed City line-up the perfect start. Scoring just three minutes with a deflected drive from the outside of the box as the hosts made a great start.
Despite having few opportunities, QPR equalised with a Charlie Austin penalty in first-half stoppage time. And City’s night was made much worse when Andy King was sent off for a second booking 11 minutes after the interval.
Rangers had opportunities to win it via Luke Amos and substitute Lyndon Dykes but Yoann Barbet’s flicked header at the near post from a corner sealed the victory.
After sixth-placed Huddersfield Town won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest, the result keeps seventh-placed QPR a point outside the play-off spots.
Due to the absence of Ilias Chair due to injury, QPR designated just five replacements. With Austin starting in place of Dykes upfront.
How did Queens Park Rangers made the comeback possible?
City manager Nigel Pearson made five adjustments. In an attempt to end a run of three wins in their past 12 games. Striker Chris Martin and captain and goalkeeper Dan Bentley were both dropped for the first time all season. While the knowledgeable King made his first start in midfield in over two months.
Pearson’s modifications had an effect just a few minutes later when Andreas Weimann’s ball reached Antoine Semenyo. Whose shot was blocked into the path of Scott, and the Guernseyman’s blast was deflected in off Rob Dickie.
While Callum O’Dowda set up two opportunities for Semenyo that he failed to convert and one for Matty James that Seny Dieng saved. And City might have scored three more goals in the first 16 minutes.
Midway through the half, Scott’s penalty appeal was turned down. And City was left to lament their lost opportunities when Cameron Pring fouled Amos in the box. And Austin, who had previously shot over from distance, levelled the game from the spot.
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