Big-match analysis: Rob Green points to positives after marking milestone with Leeds United shut-out

Chris Wood is held by Darnell Furlong in the area.

United failed to muster a single shot on target against the Championship’s 14th-placed side who would have left with all three points but for wayward finishing and one particularly important save from Green.

The 37-year-old goalkeeper was making his 600th league appearance and stood firm to keep out QPR striker Conor Washington when the forward raced through one-on-one in the 15th minute.

Washington also squandered a fine opportunity when cutting inside Whites defender Kyle Bartley three minutes after the hour but blazed an effort wide from inside the area.

A frustrating day for Leeds also featured a 10th yellow card of the season for right-back Luke Ayling, who faces a two-match ban and misses Saturday’s hosting of leaders Brighton and the crunch trip to fifth-placed Reading on Saturday, April 1.

Leeds remain fourth but the Whites are only six points ahead of seventh-placed Fulham, who also have a game in hand and who continued their fine form with an impressive 3-1 victory at second-placed Newcastle United.

United are also two points clear of fifth-placed Reading and four ahead of sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday and Green attempted to look on the bright side as Garry Monk’s side extended their unbeaten run to six games.

“In the end, you look at the results around us and a couple of teams lost, and QPR have had a turnaround in form, coming in on the back of two wins,” reasoned Green.

“They came here and made it hard and it’s a point gained and a point closer to the end goal. It was another tough game and very similar to the Cardiff game in terms of the opposition and how they set up – to nullify us.

“It’s difficult to come up with answers. The lads, with all the best will in the world, were trying but they couldn’t do that. If you can’t score, then don’t lose.”

United’s best chance came in the 74th minute when top scorer Chris Wood went tumbling in the area following a cross from the right from substitute Hadi Sacko.

Referee Tim Robinson was not interested and the man in the middle also failed to award Leeds what looked like a certain corner as United pushed for a winner in five minutes of stoppage-time.

Wood had earlier headed wide another half-chance and Alfonso Pedraza saw an effort blocked in the first half.

QPR had 13 attempts on goal compared to United’s six and three shots on target compared to none for the hosts.

Leeds had a particularly narrow escape in the seventh minute when Luke Freeman’s cross from the right was flicked across the six-yard area by Darnell Furlong and narrowly failed to provide the onrushing Washington with a tap-in.

“There are no excuses from us, we didn’t do enough to win the game,” admitted Whites chief Monk.

“We were below the standards, especially at Elland Road, of what we usually set.

“The positives are that we kept a clean sheet and we got a point. It extends our unbeaten run. This group will always respond, we are all in it together and will win and lose together. You always get ups and down.

“We have nine games left and we have to have a better level next week. We were trying to push forward in the closing stages and you can see that the commitment is there. Other teams around us lost and this is another useful point.”

QPR manager Ian Holloway was naturally disappointed not to leave with all three points and what would have been a fifth victory in six games.

“A point was the least we deserved,” he said. “The boys were brilliant against a good side.

“Our game-plan was to counter and take the game to them. That’s what we did. Apart from taking the chances, we did everything we could.”

Leeds United: Green, Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Berardi, Bridcutt, Vieira (O’Kane 78), Roofe (Sacko 59), Pedraza (Doukara 73), Hernandez, Wood. Unused substitutes: Silvestri, Cooper, Taylor, Dallas, Doukara.

QPR: Smithies, Furlong, Onuoha, Lynch, Bidwell, Wszolek (N’Gbakoto 79), Hall, Luongo, Freeman, Smith (Sylla 78), Washington (Mackie 80). Unused substitutes: Ingram, Goss, Manning, Morrison.

Referee: T Robinson (West Sussex).