QPR vs West Ham match report: Adrian saves Charlie Austin's penalty to Queens Park Rangers four points adrift of safety

QPR 0 West Ham 0: Austin missed from the spot as Rangers failed to capitalise on the best chance in the game

Adrian saves Charlie Austin's penalty (Getty Images)

That this goalless draw was QPR’s best home result since New Year’s Day explains why they appear destined for a swift return to the Championship. The cruel twist is that victory could have been theirs but for a missed penalty by Charlie Austin, the man whose goals have hitherto stood between them and the drop.

Austin has 17 goals this season but the 18th eluded him when Adrian guessed correctly to block his 22nd-minute spot-kick. It was one of a string of fine saves by the West Ham goalkeeper that left QPR four points from safety with the matches running out.

Austin, who was first off the pitch at the final whistle, was “devastated” said Chris Ramsey. QPR’s head coach added: “He has contributed to our season greatly – a lot of points we have accumulated are down to him.”

Adrian was beaten once, by Richard Dunne 16 minutes from time, but referee Mike Jones disallowed the goal, a decision which exasperated even the mild-mannered Ramsey.

After a corner prompted a scramble Jones adjudged Steven Caulker to have fouled Adrian before Dunne headed in. Ramsey said: “No way that was a foul. I understand now why managers get angry at referees. People’s livelihoods are at stake and you have decisions like that. If the keeper goes up for the ball what are we supposed to do? Let him catch it?”

Ramsey also made the point QPR had relied too much on their forwards for goals and their midfielders did fail to take a series of chances beginning as early as the opening minute.

Wayne Phillips drove deep into the Hammer’s half before feeding Sandro Raniere who, under no pressure from opponents, drilled a shot low inside the near post that Adrian saved with his boot.

Charlie Austin strikes his penalty for QPR (Getty Images)

Rangers were the more purposeful side, as they needed to be, but lacked penetration. This was so even when they were handed the chance to take the lead after Bobby Zamora, seeking space to shoot, struck the upraised arm of James Collins. Austin blasted the penalty at Adrian’s legs and Collins prevented Bobby Zamora following up.

Adrian saves Charlie Austin's penalty (Getty Images)

Green tipped an Aaron Cresswell free-kick onto the bar soon after the break but thereafter QPR pressed and West Ham counter-attacked. Both sides should have scored but Adrian denied Karl Henry and Phillips, Zamora and Leroy Fer shot over, and Hammers struggled to deliver the final ball.

“It was a scrappy battle,” concluded Sam Allardyce, whose teams have been in a few.

Kevin Nolan dives on Adrian to celebrate his penalty save (Getty Images)

Line-ups:

QPR: (4-4-2) Green; Onuoha, Dunne, Caulker, Hill (Yun, 64); Phillips, Barton, Sandro, Henry; Austin, Zamora (Fer, 67).

West Ham: (4-2-3-1 ) Adrian; Jenkinson, Collins, Burke, Cresswell; Noble, Kouyate; Downing, Nolan, Jarvis (Cole, 55); Valencia.

Referee: M Jones

Man of the match: Adrian (West Ham)

Match rating: 6/10