QPR 1-0 Cardiff

Cardiff centre back Darren Purse was shown a straight red

Queens Park Rangers needed a late goal from substitute Gavin Mahon to see off nine-man Cardiff at Loftus Road.

Bluebirds centre back Darren Purse was shown a straight red card on 28 minutes for a late and high tackle on Lee Cook.

Despite the man advantage, it took Rangers until 10 minutes from time to break through as Mahon rose at the back post to head home a Peter Ramage cross.

Cardiff full-back Miguel Comminges then picked up a second yellow for dissent, moments after being booked for a foul.

QPR caretaker manager Gareth Ainsworth:
"Gavin came up with a fantastic header for us.

"We'll take the three points and we are well in touch with the top six.

"I thought it (Darren Purse's sending-off) looked harsh and I told (Cardiff manager) Dave Jones and Darren that."

Cardiff manager Dave Jones:
"They talk about respect but how much respect for the game did the ref have?"

"Purse was never a sending-off and Miguel talked to the linesman and got sent off for it.

"The referee and his assistants have to look at themselves. Is he good enough to referee at this level? I say no."

QPR: Cerny, Stewart, Connolly, Hall, Ramage, Ledesma (Buzsaky 55), Rowlands, Cook, Tommasi (Mahon 67), Blackstock, Di Carmine (Agyemang 71).
Subs Not Used: Cole, Delaney.

Booked: Agyemang.

Goals: Mahon 80.

Cardiff: Heaton, McNaughton, Comminges, Roger Johnson, Rae, Ledley (Gyepes 29), Purse, Whittingham, McPhail, Eddie Johnson (Parry 72), Chopra.
Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Blake, Brown.

Sent Off: Purse (28), Comminges (87).

Booked: McPhail, Comminges.

Att: 13,347

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).