QPR boss makes admission after 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough

Mark Warburton admitted that QPR were fortunate to get a point against Middlesbrough last night – but added that it shows how far his side have come.

The returning Ilias Chair, who has been away with Morocco, scored the opener before Dael Fry levelled the game.

A gift from former Rangers keeper Joe Lumley allowed Chris Willock to tap into an empty net to give the home side the lead once more early in the second half.

But an Albert Adomah own goal gave Boro a well-deserved draw in an entertaining game between two sides in the promotion mix.

“We rode our luck,” said Warburton. “We scored against the run of play and then conceded at a poor time, just before half-time, but to be fair a neutral would say that they deserved it.

“Likewise in the second half, we rode our luck a little bit and were way below our best. We didn’t take care of the ball and lost too many duels and challenges.

“But the overall message is that if we can be below our best against a very good opponent and emerge with a point then it could be a vitally important point. That’s the overriding feeling.

“Two good teams who are going to be there or thereabouts went toe-to-toe and we were below our best. They were the better team on the night.

“But I think we would have lost that game 12 or 18 months ago. Tonight we stood up.”