Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Blackpool: Luke Amos' 89th-minute goal snatches win

Jimmy Dunne's header gave QPR a first-half lead before they were reduced to 10 men

Luke Amos struck in the 89th minute to hand 10-man QPR a first Championship win in five games at the expense of Blackpool.

The hosts, who move up to third in the table, dominated the first half and went ahead when Jimmy Dunne headed in a corner.

But Dion Sanderson's dismissal before the break for an apparent headbutt on Reece James gave the Tangerines a way back into the game and they eventually equalised through Josh Bowler late on.

Gary Madine missed two chances to win it for the visitors before Amos got a boot on George Thomas' cross to poke home the winner.

Chris Willock tested Daniel Grimshaw in the Blackpool goal early on but chances were at a premium before Dunne opened the scoring.

The Irish defender rose highest to nod Stefan Johansen's corner past Grimshaw but the hosts were reduced to 10 men after 40 minutes.

Wolves loanee Sanderson was given a straight red card for reacting to a foul by James, with the Blackpool defender cautioned for his challenge.

Blackpool attempted to make the most of the extra man and finally forced QPR keeper Seny Dieng into action after 54 minutes when he saved smartly from Callum Connolly's close-range header.

The hosts were still offering a threat on the break and Grimshaw had to be alert to deny Ilias Chair who had latched onto a ball over the top.

Blackpool finally got the leveller with eight minutes remaining when Bowler hit a well-struck shot into the ground and it bounced up to loop over Dieng.

The Seasiders pushed for a winner but Madine was made to pay for his missed chances when Amos got enough on Thomas' cross to claim a late win.

Victory moves QPR to within two points of second-placed Bournemouth, although the Cherries have three games in hand, while Blackpool remain 15th.

QPR manager Mark Warburton:

"The sending-off changes everything in terms of the dynamic of the game. The boys dug in in the second half.

"The boys responded - and it's those moments that can galvanise a team and a club in an important season.

"Everyone would have expected us after the equaliser to be hanging on for the last five minutes, but they showed their quality.

"We're not a team that can just sit back and try to defend. We're at our best on the front foot.

"And that was the message at half-time: to stay on the front foot."

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley:

"It was a painful ending and it's happened too many times this season.

"Games in which we should have taken a draw in, we've lost, and games we should have won we've drawn.

"This feeling keeps occurring and I don't want it to be the story of our season. We're nearly there, but we want to improve.

"We have to take at least a point from this game and we haven't. That needs to change."