Blanks all round for Roy Hogdson return to west London as QPR and Bristol City share spoils

On today's programme

Championship

QPR 0

Bristol City 0

Rangers were held to a goal less draw by an improving Bristol City in W12 in a lunchtime encounter - a fair result as neither side really did enough to take the three points. 

The Hoops were unbeaten in five league games against City - now under the guidance of former Fulham and England boss Roy Hodgson - and were looking to complete the league double over the Robins for the first time since 2002-03, but the Robins were unbeaten in their last eight away league games against QPR.

QPR had picked up 10 points in their last four Championship matches, more than in their previous 11 games combined and the good news for fans was the return of Rumarn Burrell on the substitutes bench.  He came on in the 68th minute to loud cheers from the R’s fans.

Bristol City started the day a place above QPR in 11th spot on 57 points from 41 matches played. QPR were in 12th with the same points and games played.

Both teams were nine points outside the playoffs, so both are unlikely to make the playoff places this season.

QPR started well, with Jonathan Varane seeing his right footed shot from inside the penalty area saved by Radek Vitek.

Bristol City's first chance fell to Sam Morsy, whose shot from outside the penalty area was saved by Joe Walsh. Mark Sykes also forced Walsh into a save. 

In the 26th minute Kieran Morgan saw a right footed shot from outside the penalty area go wide of the target.

Scott Twine came close to opening the scoring in the 29th minute from six yards out with a right footed shot but Walsh again denied the visitors who were mostly on top but failed to make it count.

There was more of the same after the interval as the Rangers keeper kept out another effort from Twine.

Paul Smyth's speedy pace did not look like unlocking the Robins defence, which was well marshalled at the back by Jason Knight, Neto Borges, Noah Eile and Cameron Pring. Morsy was impressive too for the visitors.

QPR had not brought a save out of Vitek in the opening hour of the game and replaced Rayan Kolli and Richard Kone with Rumarn Burrell and Daniel Bennie in the 68th and 69th minute. 

Boss Julien Stephan then replaced Kieran Morgan with Kwame Poku in the 75th minute, but it made no difference, with neither side able to make a breakthrough.

Rangers: (4-4-2) Walsh – Mbengue, Edwards, Clarke-Salter, Norrington-Davies – Smyth, Varane, Morgan (75, Poku), Vale – Kolli (68, Burrell,) Kone (69, Bennie)

Robins: (4-2-3-1) Vitek – Knight, Eile, Neto Borges, Pring – Morsy, Randell – Sykes (76, McCrorie) Twine (88, Horvat) Bird (83, Earthy) - Riis (76, Burgzong)

Attendance: 16,745