05.12.2021 19:53 h

Stoke beat QPR in battle of Championship play-off hopefuls

Goals from Tyrese Campbell and Mario Vrancic gave Stoke City a 2-0 away victory over fellow Championship play-off hopefuls QPR on Sunday.

Charlie Austin's scuffed second-half penalty was saved by goalkeeper Adam Davies on a frustrating afternoon for Rangers, who lost their record of having scored in all their Championship matches this season.

Mark Warburton's side had found the net in 31 consecutive league games and were closing in on the club record of 33.

Stoke, who had lost their previous two matches without scoring, climbed to sixth with their deserved win -- a place behind QPR, whose defeat was their first in seven games.

It was an eventful day for Vrancic, who set up the first goal, conceded the penalty and then sealed Stoke's win with a thumping right-footed strike into the bottom corner from near the edge of the box.

Campbell's 14th-minute opener came after both teams had gone close to scoring in the early stages.

Rangers had a chance to equalise just after the hour mark when Vrancic wrestled Yoann Barbet to the ground as Stoke were defending a corner.

But the resulting spot-kick by Austin was not well struck and Davies dived to his right to save.

Having been given a reprieve, the otherwise outstanding Vrancic atoned for that error in fine style by doubling his team's lead with 12 minutes remaining.