QPR 1 Leeds United 2: Grayson putting plans in place for next term after ending on a high

On a day when all the pre-match and most of the post-match focus was on the London club’s title success, there was plenty for Grayson and United to be pleased with.

QPR had got their hands on the Championship trophy, a week after they clinched it, following the Football Association’s announcement Saturday morning that they would not be docked points over the Alejandro Faurlin affair.

The club were instead fined £875,000 after being found guilty of two of the seven charges facing them surrounding the alleged third-party ownership of the Argentine midfielder.

Once fears of potential 15-point penalty were not realised, a belated promotion party began and could not even be spoiled by a 2-1 defeat against Leeds.

The Yorkshire side had travelled south still harbouring the slimmest of slim hopes of a play-off place. That looked even more unlikely after just 27 seconds, however, when Heidar Helguson tapped Rangers ahead.

However, Max Gradel hauled them level when he lobbed Radek Cerny and Ross McCormack hit a deflected leveller in the second half.

Nottingham Forest’s win at Crystal Palace means another season outside the top flight for Simon Grayson’s men, but the manager has big plans for 2011-12.

“Obviously we are disappointed not to make the play-offs,” said Grayson. “We have beaten the champions twice this season which is a testament to my players, but congratulations to QPR.

“We have proved we can compete with some big teams and we wanted to finish the season on a high so we could carry the momentum into the next Championship campaign.

“We have been working hard over the last few weeks on pin-pointing the players we would like to recruit, so there will be players coming in and leaving this summer because we have to keep improving every year. We probably need a few more players to take us to the next level.

“I know in my own mind what I will be doing but it is only right that I speak to the players first.

“We will sit down with individuals and talk to them about their future, either with or away from the club. We don’t have to sell, and some players will realise they can fulfil their ambitions here.”

QPR boss Neil Warnock was in tears at the news his side could finally celebrate promotion to the Premier League.

“Over the last seven weeks or eight weeks I have never had such a tough task, so to steer us through is the best job I’ve done,” said Warnock, toasting the seventh promotion of his career. “To deal with it without being able to comment has been difficult, especially for me!

QPR: Cerny, Orr, Connolly, Gorkss, Hill (Ramage 65), Derry, Faurlin, Routledge, Buzsaky (Taarabt 55), Smith, Helguson (Shittu 72). Unused substitutes: Putnins, Agyemang, Moen, Ephraim.

Leeds United: Schmeichel, Connolly, Naylor (Kisnorbo 79), O’Brien, Lichaj, Gradel (Watt 85), Kilkenny, Howson, Johnson, McCormack, Paynter (Somma 65). Unused substitutes: Higgs, Bruce, Livermore, Bromby.

Referee: M Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).

Man of the match: R McCormack.