Smyth’s goal gives QPR victory at Blackburn
Blackburn 0
QPR 1Smyth (78′)
Paul Smyth’s 78th-minute winner gave QPR a fourth victory in their past seven away matches.
Smyth scored soon after coming on as a substitute at Ewood Park, drifting behind the Blackburn defence to head home Ilias Chair’s ball in from the left.
Rangers had to make a change in goal after 19 minutes when Paul Nardi came on for keeper Ben Hamer, who was involved in an accidental collision with team-mate Steve Cook.
And Nardi produced a fine second-half save to deny Andri Gudjohnsen, who earlier missed a great chance for Blackburn when he fired wide.
Koki Saito had a strike saved by Rovers keeper Aynsley Pears at the near post, but it was a game of few clear-cut chances before head coach Julien Stephan made a double change, sending on Smyth and Richard Kone.
The switch quickly paid off, with Smyth securing the points with his third goal of the season.
Smyth almost added a stunning second goal when his volley hit the post.
Back-to-back wins have left Rangers 12th in the Championship table, just two points from the play-off places.
They have lost just one of their seven away games since a 7-1 hammering by leaders Coventry in August.
QPR: Hamer (Nardi 19); Mbengue, Dunne, Cook, Field; Varane, Madsen; Dembele (Smyth 71), Chair, Saito (Kone 71); Burrell.
Subs not used: Frey, Hayden, Kolli, Morgan, Norrington-Davies, Morrison.
