Queens Park Rangers 1-0 West Bromwich Albion: Charlie Austin nets winner against old club
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Charlie Austin celebrated scoring a late winner against his old club to send QPR fourth in the Championship
Charlie Austin returned to haunt his former club as he struck in the 89th minute to send QPR above promotion rivals West Brom.
The game looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Austin arrived at the far post to head home Chris Willock's cross.
His goal moves QPR two points above Valerien Ismael's Baggies, who are now without a win in four games.
Karlan Grant went closest for the visitors with a deflected cross which beat debutant goalkeeper David Marshall but narrowly missed the target.
West Brom started the better, with Adam Reach hitting a powerful volley from distance which was deflected wide, before Callum Robinson and Matt Phillips also went close.
QPR looked to steady themselves, and Baggies keeper David Button was tested for the first time through Stefan Johansen's free-kick, but the teams went in goalless at the break after a first half which failed to capture the imagination.
The game improved in the second half, with the hosts seizing the initiative, and Andre Gray had the ball in the West Brom net after 48 minutes but saw his effort ruled out for an earlier foul on Jayson Molumby.
Mark Warburton's side went close again soon after, with Lyndon Dykes turning a cross over the bar and Button saving Willock's well-struck shot.
Baggies manager Ismael introduced new signing Daryl Dike on the hour as he looked to turn the tide and the ex-Barnsley man was immediately into the action, beating a defender before crossing to Jake Livermore, who poked over.
He was involved again soon after, flicking the ball to Grant whose deflected cross went underneath Marshall, who was relieved to see it narrowly miss the target.
There were seconds left in normal time when Willock dug out a cross and Austin arrived on cue to head home and give QPR a third win in a row.
The defeat sees West Brom drop to fifth, and they now have only one win from their past nine away games.
QPR boss Mark Warburton:
"To a man we defended our goal very well and attacked with real purpose.
"I thought we showed a good team too much respect in the first half. What we had to do was up the tempo, get on the front foot and move the ball quicker with a bit more pace and purpose.
"We did that in the second half and pushed West Brom back and looked a real threat. I thought overall we deserved to win the game.
"Of course it's a big win for us because it puts us two points clear of them with a game in hand. The players have earned that with their efforts."
West Brom head coach Valerien Ismael:
"It was a good game from us. We played very well and had a chance with Matt Phillips.
"In the second half QPR pushed more, which was to be expected, and then (Daryl) Dike came on and made an impact (for us).
"We lost the game but I'm satisfied with the performance. There are some positives but we didn't get the rewards we wanted.
"The performance was good and the mentality of the players was good, we just wanted to get the reward."