Middlesboro 0 QPR 1 – Hugill stunner ends losing streak for Warburton’s men

BY NICK KITUNO

Queens Park Rangers ended a run of three straight Championship defeats with victory over relegation-threatened Middlesbrough.

Jordan Hugill’s stunning finish past the half-hour mark proved decisive as Rangers came away from the Riverside Stadium with a crucial three points.

The win lifted them up to 13th in the Championship and nine points clear of the drop zone, with five games remaining.

The visitors started brightly but were tested early by Middlesbrough’s two centre-forwards. Lumley rushed off his line to deny Ashley Fletcher from a narrow angle before Britt Assombalonga brought a save out of the stopper from distance.

QPR drew first blood after 32 minutes when Hugill latched on to Ryan Manning’s through pass to lob goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic. It proved to be a bittersweet moment, however, as he was forced off shortly after due to injury.

Struggling Boro desperately sought an equaliser after the restart, and one of their best chances fell to Assombalonga who was denied by a last-ditch Yoann Barbet block inside the box.

They came close again with eight minutes remaining when substitute Lukas Nmecha directed his first-time effort over the bar from Jonny Howson’s inviting cross.

Rangers saw off the hosts through the late stages as former QPR boss Neil Warnock lost his first game at home since taking over as Middlesbrough manager.