Rangers out after yet another cup debacle

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Burton Albion 1 QPR 0

QPR made yet another swift League Cup exit at the hands of lower division opposition and are still waiting for their first goal of the season.

They were second best despite boss Harry Redknapp fielding an experienced line-up for the second-round clash that included Adel Taarabt.

Adam McGurk’s 20-yard free-kick in the 77th minute secured a deserved victory for League Two outfit Burton, who created several chances before eventually finding the net.

Taarabt, making his first appearance for Rangers since May 2013, dragged a first-half shot wide following good work by Karl Henry.

Junior Hoilett then almost put the visitors ahead when his shot from near the edge of the penalty area struck the woodwork.

Hoilett went close again, in spectacular fashion, when he was found by Taarabt and cleverly dinked the ball over a defender only to then shoot over the bar.

However, Burton caused plenty of problems and Alex MacDonald missed a good chance for them early on.

Rangers keeper Brian Murphy then saved from Dominic Knowles, who should have scored, and produced a fine stop to deny the dangerous MacDonald.

But Murphy was unable to keep out McGurk’s fine strike and Rangers rarely looked like finding an equaliser.

Taarabt, who faded in the second half, curled an effort wide in injury time.

QPR: Murphy, Simpson, Onuoha, Dunne, Hill, Hoilett, Henry (Mutch 82), Faurlin (Fer 59), Wright-Phillips (Zamora 78), Taarabt, Phillips. 
Subs not used: Green, Ehmer, Doughty, Harriman.

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