Norwich 0-1 QPR

Rowlands grabbed the only goal for 10-man Rangers

QPR boosted their promotion credentials as they overcame an early red card to secure three points against Norwich thanks to Martin Rowlands' free-kick.

The visitors were down to 10 men when Matthew Connolly received a second yellow card after just 25 minutes.

Just five minutes later Rowlands opened the scoring when his free-kick from 20 yards evaded everyone, including keeper David Marshall.

The hosts dominated the second period but could not find a breakthrough.

---

Norwich boss Glenn Roeder:
"I'm not here to make excuses, our build-up was slow, we were not creative enough and too many of our players put in below-average performances.

"I don't necessarily think QPR did enough to deserve a win but what they did do was defend very well.

"They are a big, powerful strong team and we didn't play well enough to break them down."

QPR boss Iain Dowie:
"I thought our response to going a man down was terrific.

"We got our goal and then defended superbly, while we could have easily have gone further ahead ourselves.

"It's a very pleasing result, much more pleasing than Sunday when we won 4-1 because this was a real backs to the wall team effort.

"All 10 men who stayed on did an excellent job, as did the substitutes. "I'm delighted for the lads."

---

Norwich: Marshall, Omozusi, Kennedy (Grounds 62), Stefanovic, Pattison, Fotheringham, Russell, Bertrand, Hoolahan (Cureton 66), Sibierski, Lupoli (Croft 46).
Subs Not Used: Nelson, Koroma.

Booked: Fotheringham, Lupoli.

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Stewart, Connolly, Delaney, Rowlands, Mahon, Leigertwood, Cook (Gorkss 30), Blackstock (Agyemang 77), Ledesma (Buzsaky 82).
Subs Not Used: Camp, Parejo.

Sent Off: Connolly (25).

Booked: Connolly, Blackstock.

Goals: Rowlands 33.

Att: 24,249

Ref: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire).

Make your Championship predictions