Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe returned Leeds to winning ways as they triumphed 2-0 to leave lowly QPR without a victory in 11 Championship games.
Daniel Farke’s promotion-chasing side lost 1-0 at Millwall on Wednesday but Bogle’s 19th-minute opener and substitute Piroe’s late clincher ensured there was no hangover.
It was another damaging defeat for Marti Cifuentes’ injury-ravaged visitors – who slipped to the bottom of the table having won just one of their 15 Championship games this season.
Leeds were largely dominant throughout but struggled to make it pay and ultimately were left thankful for Bogle’s early goal and Piroe’s clinical second.
Leeds brought in Sam Byram at left-back after Junior Firpo was handed a three-match ban for violent conduct during the midweek reverse at Millwall.
QPR were again missing a host of players with forward Ilias Chair their latest absentee.
He was forced off at the start of the second half with a knee problem during Tuesday’s 4-1 home defeat by Middlesbrough.
Leeds began strongly and QPR survived in the 17th minute when USA midfielder Brenden Aaronson collected possession just outside the 18-yard box and smashed a shot against the crossbar.
Leeds continued to go close but led in the 19th minute when Bogle – a summer signing from Sheffield United – found the net from close range.
Joe Rothwell crossed from the left flank and, although Manor Solomon and Mateo Joseph both failed to fire home, the ball fell kindly for Bogle to sweep home left-footed from six yards out.
That poured confidence into Leeds and Aaronson went close to doubling their advantage by driving into the penalty box before seeing his low right-foot shot saved.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, Bogle burst into the box on a marauding run before the ball fell to Ao Tanaka 25 yards from.
The Japan midfielder’s powerful shot was blocked before Rangers had a rare chance at the other end when Jimmy Dunne headed Lucas Andersen’s free-kick narrowly wide.
In the 39th minute, Leeds went close when Aaronson found Byram inside the left channel and his low cross was tapped in by Solomon – but Byram had strayed offside and the home celebrations quickly ended.
On the stroke of half-time, Tanaka delivered a deep cross to the far post but Byram sent his header wide.
In the 60th minute, Willy Gnonto led a counter-attack and found Solomon whose low, left-foot shot was well saved by Rangers goalkeeper Paul Nardi.
Five minutes later, Rangers went close when captain Steve Cook crossed from the right and Sam Field’s right-foot shot landed on top of Leeds’ net.
But Leeds continued to threaten at the other end as Bogle was denied a second from close range before Piroe almost put away the rebound.
However, Piroe struck deep in added time when he created the space to fire a clinical left-foot shot past Nardi and into the net.
The managers
Leeds’ Daniel Farke:
“I try to pretend to be cool and when we miss chance after chance I know how this league is and when it goes up six minutes added time and you say ‘for what?’
“But I can’t allow myself to be too nervous or bite my nails so I wanted to stay focused.
“In general I’m optimistic because I believe in my players but I always expect the worst.
“But the mentality after a loss – to always answer with a win – is always crucial.
“This is a sign of a winning mentality and I think we have the chance to create something special.
“Today I’m just happy with a win and I have to give compliments to my lads.
“The load is incredible, especially with key players out.
“To deliver such a performance, especially to respond after a loss – although it wasn’t a bad performance – in next game with a win, we did…
“Everyone expects a home game Elland Road and a team comes who are not in the best position, everyone expects us to win but it’s not easy.”
QPR’s Marti Cifuentes:
“I receive a lot of confidence from the club; I work as always.
“We managed a similar situation last season and I spoke about expectations in the summer.
“No-one wanted or expected to be in this situation we are now but that’s the reality of football.
“We have a very important game against Stoke after the international break, so we have to keep believing.
“There are a lot of games and it’s in our hands to turn the situation around.
“That’s the target. The most important target now is to recover some players and keep on working.”
