Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Blackburn Rovers

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QPR v BlackburnImage source, Getty Images
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QPR v Blackburn

QPR missed the chance to go top of the Championship as they were held to a goalless draw against Blackburn.

Harry Redknapp's side dropped points at home for only the second time this season and are now behind new leaders Burnley on goal difference.

Rangers' best chance fell to Charlie Austin, who was denied by the woodwork in the second half.

The closest Rovers came to a winner was a Jason Lowe half-volley that was cleared off the line by Clint Hill.

Rangers have developed a knack of grinding out 1-0 victories from similarly uninspiring matches this season, but this time their goal touch deserted them.

The home side barely tested Blackburn goalkeeper Simon Eastwood in the first half, while the visitors created a string of chances.

The clearest fell to Lowe, who met Ben Marshall's cross at the far post but was thwarted by Hill. Blackburn's Chris Taylor also sent a header over before Jordan Rhodes nodded wide.

QPR were brighter after the interval and came close to breaking the deadlock from a swift counter-attack after 55 minutes.

Matt Phillips then placed a shot too close to Eastwood, before Austin's big chance arrived in the 70th minute after a fine run down the left by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

His low cross was met by the 10-goal striker six yards out, but his effort came off the inside of the post, hit the bemused Eastwood and bounced back out.

QPR assistant manager Kevin Bond:

"In the end it was frustrating.

"It was a game of few opportunities but we had two really good ones and obviously it's a different game if we take them.

"We are a very attacking team but we found it difficult to break them down."

Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer:

"We came with a game plan. We were very good in the first half and we should have gone in leading with the chances we had.

"In the second half we had to show some character and we displayed some battling qualities against a top team."

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