QPR boss Warburton gives verdict after 1-1 draw at play-off chasing Reading

BY NICK KITUNO

Mark Warburton felt Queens Park Rangers dropped two points as they had to settle for a draw with promotion-chasing Reading.

Lyndon Dykes opened the scoring with his first goal since November before Yakou Meite pulled the Royals back level early into the second half.

Both sides produced chances to go in front but lacked the clinical finishing to secure all three points. The draw sees QPR stay 12th in the Championship table.

Warburton said: “The feeling in the dressing room here is we dropped two points. We get the goal before half-time, concede a goal, we can’t concede [a goal like that]. It’s a challenge and we’ve got to defend it better.

“Then there was a better reaction from the players, we dominate the last 25, 30 minutes, create good chances against a very good Reading team.

“The feeling is one of disappointment, which if you’re coming to a place like Reading, and [you are] disappointed with a point, we’re moving in the right direction.”

Dykes put the visitors ahead just before half-time on 44 minutes. Ilias Chair’s throughball found Lee Wallace, who cut it back for the Scotland striker to score.

It was his first goal for QPR since the 2-1 defeat away to Brentford in November and his sixth this season since joining from Livingston.

Reading hit back after 57 minutes when Meite chased a long ball over the top, and fought off Rob Dickie before slotting the ball between Seny Dieng’s legs and in.

Rangers produced several chances late on, coming close through substitute Chris Willock and Stefan Johansen, but could not convert. However, the result was also blemished by injuries sustained by Jordy de Wijs and Dom Ball.

Warburton had praise for Dykes and said: “Lyndon worked tirelessly again today. [He had] a good game in midweek and had another very good game today, and now he goes away with Scotland now full of confidence, I’m sure.”

De Wijs was withdrawn just five minutes into the second half for Geoff Cameron, while Ball, who came off the bench to replace Chair, was replaced with Todd Kane in added time.

He added: “Jordy just tweaked his groin. He hoped he would get through [the game] okay but he stretched it at that first set-piece, felt it, and we’ve got to be careful.

“Dom came on, did really well, but it’s an impact injury on his hip which he thought he could run off but it was causing a lot of pain.

“He’s having ice now and being assessed but it is what it is, it’s the nature of the game.”