Hulse aims high as Leeds survive Healy's red card

Queen's Park Rangers 0 Leeds United 1

The tall striker's goal, gifted by a lackadaisical Queen's Park Rangers defence, was a simple affair, volleying home from Gary Kelly's long free-kick. With no one around him, he tapped it in and it proved to be the decisive strike.

It is Hulse's ambition to get Leeds back into the Premiership. Having signed a permanent deal in the summer he has seen positive changes at the club.

"When I first came here last season on loan it was a case of the club just being held together," he said. "Things have changed a lot now. We've got everything we need to get promoted. But promotion is about getting into a winning mentality. We have to be ruthless now as well. On our day we're a match for anyone."

Victory here was achieved despite losing David Healy on 65 minutes after he tangled with Marc Bircham. After being pushed by the QPR midfielder, Hulse's strike partner kicked out and was sent off.

As for QPR, a bright start to the season has nearly ground to a halt with just five points from their last five games, but, even so, their manager, Ian Holloway, is looking for better terms than the new five-year deal he has been offered.

A performance like this will not strengthen his hand but he is not about to waver. "The club will speak to my agent today or Wednesday," he said. "I sat down with my agent and talked about what they've offered me. I didn't like it - my agent gave them a proposal and they've gone away to think about it."

Goal: Hulse (40) 0-1.

Queen's Park Rangers (4-4-2): Royce; Bignot, Shittu, Santos, Milanese (Evatt, 27); Ainsworth (Rowlands, 57), Bircham, Lomas, Cook; Sturridge (S Moore, 57), Furlong. Substitutes not used: Nygaard, Langley.

Leeds United (4-4-2): Sullivan; Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Crainey; Douglas, Derry, Einarsson, Lewis; Healy, Hulse (Cresswell, 71) Substitutes not used: Bennett (gk), Pugh, I Moore, Kilgallon.

Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire). Booked: QPR Bircham, Cook; Leeds Kelly, Gregan, Einarsson, Derry.

Sent off: Leeds Healy (65).

Man of the match: Hulse.

Attendance: 15,523.