Leeds fight back from two down to draw at QPR

Jayden Bogle scored Leeds' equaliser early in the second half

Championship leaders Leeds United fought back from two goals down to earn a draw at Queens Park Rangers.

Koki Saito and captain Steve Cook put the hosts in command but Leeds halved their deficit shortly before half-time through a Morgan Fox own goal.

Full-back Jayden Bogle equalised early in the second half as Leeds were inspired by the half-time introduction of Willy Gnonto.

But neither side could find a winner, although QPR winger Saito was shown a straight red card in added time for a late challenge from behind on Dan James.

The result increases the Whites' lead at the top to three points before second-placed Sheffield United's Steel City derby at Hillsborough on Sunday, as well as ending a four-match losing run for the mid-table Hoops.

Steve Cook gave the hosts a two-goal lead after half an hour

The visitors made a bright start, dominating the ball in the early stages, with Joel Piroe volleying over after the ball sat up for him in the first chance of the match.

But QPR grew into the game and took the lead in stunning fashion through Saito.

The Japanese winger took advantage of a loose pass from Brenden Aaronson in the box to whip a curling effort beyond Illan Meslier and into the corner for his third goal for the club.

Leeds continued to try to play and send crosses into the box but found themselves two down after half an hour.

Lucas Andersen and Paul Smyth combined down the right before the latter sent in a cross to the crowded away box for unchallenged captain Cook to bend a header home via the post, with Meslier rooted to the spot.

Bogle blazed a wild effort over the bar in response as the visitors looked to recover.

But they pulled one back with their best move of the match, Junior Firpo's effort deflecting off Hoops defender Fox into the net after Aaronson, Piroe and Manor Solomon combined with quick passing in the QPR area.

The R's defence appealed for offside against Bogle and the goal would have been disallowed had the right-back touched the ball on the line, with Firpo kept well onside by the Hoops defenders. But the ball flicked in off the unfortunate Fox to go down as an own goal.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke sent on Gnonto for Aaronson at half-time and the young Italian made an instant impact, threading a ball through the Hoops defence for James to chase down the right.

The Wales international's cut-back flicked up off a foot and fell kindly to Solomon, whose first-time effort was well saved by Paul Nardi but went straight to Bogle, who rolled it into the corner to level the score.

The visitors still looked vulnerable to long balls and Cook forced a reflex save from Meslier as he shot from Smyth's throw into the box.

Leeds captain Pascal Struijk put in a big block to deny Jimmy Dunne from close range as both sides looked for the winner late in the game.

And, as a scrappy second half drew to an end, Saito was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on James.

'A good point on the road' - reaction

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes told BBC Radio London:

"Mixed feelings today. Definitely from one side we are disappointed to not take the three points after taking a lead of 2-0.

"But I'm aware that we play[ed] against a very good team, the best in the league, so the feeling is that we competed at a very high level against a great team, so I'm very proud of the guys.

"We spoke about how important it was to start the game strong and create an atmosphere with our fans, I think there was an urgency and standard that we want in every game of the season."

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke said:

"During this period of the season when you have to play the third game in six days and you are 2-0 down after 30 minutes, it's a good point.

"QPR deserved to be in the lead because we were poor in the first 25-30 minutes.

"What was good was the reaction of my team today. Last season we were 2-0 down after 20 minutes [QPR won the game 4-0] but today we fought back.

"Second half we were completely on it, pressed the game, had four or five good situations where we were so, so close in the six-yard box.

"Yes, of course, we wanted to win this game [but] after the story of the game it's a good point on the road."

On Willy Gnonto's performance off the bench: "I was convinced he would make an impact.

"If I had opted for Ilia Gruev [to start the match] I would also have opted for Willy Gnonto. Perhaps we would have had a better start if we had made those changes.

"The feeling is he's playing more and more to create good situations in the centre and that's what he did in the second half."