QPR 3-0 Doncaster Rovers: Rovers undone by second-half spree

Rangers are now six points clear at the top of the Championship having made their best start to a season since 1947.

But they did not play like it during a first half in which Doncaster looked by far the better team while Warnock's attacking riches, such as Adel Taarabt, Jamie Mackie and Hogan Ephraim, misfired.

A pedestrian opening period did not spark into life until the 25th minute when Rangers almost conceded their first goal at Loftus Road this term.

Martin Woods's 25-yard free-kick was pushed onto the inside of the post by the diving Paddy Kenny.

The ball fell at the feet of James O'Connor, with Kenny still grounded, but the defender's goalbound shot was superbly cleared off the line by the sliding Clint Hill.

However, two second-half goals from Kaspars Gorkss, either side of Taarabt's penalty, gave Rangers the victory, albeit by a flattering margin.

"At half-time I told three or four of my major players they were a bit short and needed to step up, and they did," said Warnock "It's just as important to keep a clean sheet as it is to score three goals and I thought the save from Paddy and then the clearance from Clint Hill epitomised the team spirit.

"The goals came at good times. We were off the boil but Doncaster were the reason we were off the boil. I told my players this would be our toughest game so far, so I wasn't surprised.

"Doncaster are a good team and have a very good chance of being in the play-offs."

Rangers finally got a sight of goal after 36 minutes when Spurs loanee Kyle Walker overlapped down the right and and crossed for Jamie Mackie.

But the striker, who has scored eight goals in eight league games so far this season, saw his weak shot saved by Neil Sullivan.

Gorkss eventually opened the scoring in the 53rd minute when he met Akos Buzsaky's corner with a firm header.

His initial effort was blocked by Rovers right-back Mustapha Dumbuya but the Latvian centre-half reacted quickest to slam the loose ball past Neil Sullivan.

Rovers were still in the game until the second goal arrived in the 81st minute after Heidar Helguson was upended in the area by Sullivan.

Helguson got back to his feet and tucked the ball away but referee Roger East had already pointed to the spot.

Luckily for the official, Taarabt made no mistake with the penalty. And Gorkss gave the scoreline a somewhat flattering look with a powerful header from Taarabt's corner two minutes from time to make the points safe and keep the Rangers bandwagon rolling.

"Overall I thought we played really well," said Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll. "I'm pleased with the performance but not with the result, but that's what happens in this division.

"Now we have to be resilient and bounce back."

QPR: Kenny, Walker, Connolly, Gorkss, Hill, Derry (Leigertwood 76), Buzsaky, Taarabt, Ephraim, Mackie (Smith 89), Helguson (Agyemang 87). Unused substitutes: Cerny, Rowlands, Borrowdale, Parker.

Doncaster: Sullivan, Dumbuya, O'Connor, Martis, Friend, Coppinger, Gillett (Hayter 79), Oster, Martin Woods, Shiels, Sharp. Unused substitutes: Gary Woods, Stock, Lockwood, Wilson, Hird, Fairhurst.

Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire).

Man of the match: Kaspars Gorkss.

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