‘Austin’s QPR goal should have stood’

QPR manager Mark Warburton dubbed the cancellation of a Charlie Austin goal an “appalling decision” after it spelt their Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Sunderland on Tuesday.

Rangers failed to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time in 32 years when they lost on penalties.

They were denied a goal for offside when Austin, on as a substitute, struck from close range.

Warburton said: “What am I allowed to say without getting fined? It’s staggering.

“I’ve just seen that chance. I was immediately told it was offside [by the fourth official]. Having seen the picture I’ve just seen – wow. That’s an appalling decision which has cost the club on so many fronts.

“You’re not talking about an inch or a marginal decision. You’re talking about feet – Charlie being onside and being given offside.

“I’ve never been quite so shocked on seeing a picture like that.

“I can’t say we deserved to go through. It was pretty evenly matched.

“But the feeling of frustration and disappointment has just been taken over by the shock at seeing that decision.”