Rotherham United boss Paul Warne frustrated after Millers pay price for showing QPR ‘too much respect’

Ilias Chair put Rangers ahead after 20 minutes before Michael Smith hit a 38th-minute equaliser for his first goal since February.

But two goals in first-half injury time proved decisive for the hosts, Bright Osayi-Samuel restoring their lead when left free in the box before Lyndon Dykes then thumped in a penalty after Dan Barlaser’s handball.

Freddie Ladapo pulled a goal back with six minutes remaining but Rangers held out for a 3-2 win, despite some sustained pressure from the visitors, leaving Warne to ponder what might have been.

“It was two different performances, the first half was completely different to the second half,” said a frustrated Warne.

“In the first half we showed QPR too much respect, which is disappointing because we played an attacking side. QPR have got some amazing players and their attacking play is excellent, but we kept dropping into the box rather than engaging high up the pitch and that caused us all sorts of problems.

“In the second half, we looked a lot more athletic. Wilesy (Ben Wiles), Jamie Lindsay and Crooksy (Matt Crooks), had a big impact on the game and we just looked more lively really. We were putting decent crosses in, Freddie had a big chance with 20 minutes to go and we had a stonewall penalty waved away, which is hugely frustrating.

“Overall, I’m hugely disappointed, I came here to try and win the game, I don’t come to try and sit in. We were fairly open and, unfortunately, our more attacking players didn’t give us as much as theirs did in the opening period.”

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