Karamoko Dembele holds his thumbs up Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Karamoko Dembele scored one of QPR's four penalties in the cup win against Luton

Left-back Kenneth Paal fired in the winning spot kick as Queens Park Rangers beat Luton Town 4-1 on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup third round following a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road.

QPR scored all four of their penalties, while Tahith Chong struck the crossbar for Luton and Cauley Woodrow's effort was saved by Joe Walsh.

The hosts took an early lead through a close-range finish from new signing Hevertton Santos, only for Zack Nelson to reply with a glorious strike from distance five minutes later.

Carlton Morris, Elijah Adebayo and Tahith Chong were all denied by Walsh as Luton pressed for a second-half winner before the match was decided on penalties.

Marti Cifuentes saw his much-changed QPR side go ahead when Hatters goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski palmed Elijah Dixon-Bonner's strike into the path of Brazilian right-back Santos, who converted on his full debut after joining the club in July.

Luton levelled in sensational fashion, as Nelson's angled first-time drive from outside the penalty area arrowed into the far corner of the net following a corner.

Visiting manager Rob Edwards, whose players have now started the season with a four-game winless run, brought in five new faces from Town's 1-0 defeat at Preston North End in the Championship on Saturday, including a first start since December for midfielder Marvelous Nakamba.

Edwards used three substitutes at the interval, switching Nakamba, Reece Burke and Amari'i Bell for Mads Andersen, Tom Holmes and Liam Walsh, while QPR sent on Jake Salter-Clarke for Steve Cook in defence.

Luton's Morris, whose flick had provided Nelson with the chance to score, had a header thwarted by Walsh before Adebayo had a shot turned behind after Walsh was unable to hold Chong's effort.

Kaminski was also called into action, stopping Alfie Lloyd's shot and Zan Celar's header from Karamoko Dembele's free-kick, to ensure the match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes to go to penalties.

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