Furlong takes advantage as Jewell's leaders lose sparkle

Queen's Park Rangers 1 - Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic were made to regret a number of missed chances by Queen's Park Rangers as Paul Furlong sneaked a late winner at Loftus Road to condemn the Championship leaders to their second successive defeat.

Wigan Athletic were made to regret a number of missed chances by Queen's Park Rangers as Paul Furlong sneaked a late winner at Loftus Road to condemn the Championship leaders to their second successive defeat.

Wigan, who were unbeaten in the League this season before losing 2-0 to Plymouth nine days ago, saw their advantage at the top of the table reduced to goal difference as Ipswich Town took full advantage, joining Paul Jewell's side on 39 points.

Meanwhile, QPR's victory moved them into fifth place and their manager, Ian Holloway, praised Furlong's contribution to their rather unexpected success, the 36-year-old striker having already scored 11 goals this season.

"Paul Furlong was fantastic," Holloway said. "He may not be much younger than me but he looks after himself so well and he is playing with a smile on his face. It was a quality goal that won a very tight game.

"If they had scored in the first half it would have been very different, but if you don't take your chances then we have players like Furlong who can take advantage. I'm proud of the boys. Now I need to go and lie down."

Wigan controlled large periods of the game and Jewell claimed: "We should have been out of sight by half-time. We defended well but we got nothing from the game and that is very disappointing."

The vital goal came from a mistake by Wigan, Jimmy Bullard giving the ball away to Kevin McLeod, who raced down the left before crossing for Furlong to head home.

The visitors dominated the first 45 minutes with some superb football orchestrated by Bullard. However, they failed to score, Jason Roberts shooting tamely at Chris Day in the 17th minute with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Another attack saw Roberts get the better of Dan Shittu and pull the ball back for Nathan Ellington to sidefoot wide. Roberts then put in Nicky Eaden who fired wide, before Day saved at the feet of Bullard.

QPR muscled their way back into the game after the break and they carved out a good chance after 58 minutes when Lee Cook put in Marcus Bignot, whose shot was well saved by John Filan.

Jamie Cureton headed McLeod's corner just wide as QPR got on top before Bignot's centre was wasted by Furlong. No matter, as he was on hand to make amends and clinch victory.

Goal: Furlong (86) 1-0.

Queen's Park Rangers (4-4-2): Day; Bignot, Shittu, Santos, Rose; Ainsworth (McLeod, 64), Bean, Gallen, Cook (Padula, 76); Cureton, Furlong. Substitutes not used: Branco, Gnohere, Simek.

Wigan Athletic (4-4-2): Filan; Wright, Jackson, Breckin, Baines (McMillan, h-t); Eaden, Mahon, Bullard, Graham (Teale, 76); Ellington (Flynn, 87), Roberts. Substitutes not used: Walsh (gk), Whalley.

Referee: B Knight (Kent).

Man of the match: Furlong.

Attendance: 15,804.