QPR boss Ian Holloway defended Alex Smithies after his howler inspired Ipswich to a 3-0 win, instead calling on his squad to be mentally tougher.

Grant Ward's scuffed shot broke the deadlock after 13 minutes before the match changed nine minutes after the restart thanks to a hapless error by Smithies.

The QPR keeper's horrendous attempt at heading away only saw the ball skew behind him gifting Varney a tap-in - and Ipswich a springboard for three precious points.

Tom Lawrence added a third with a fine finish in the corner before David McGoldrick, Freddie Sears and Ward were all unable to find a way past the redeeming Smithies.

Summing up the match, QPR boss Ian Holloway said: "I am sure everyone will say everything hinged on the second goal, but it shouldn't have.

"The goal was a calamity and after that we were awful and it could have been four or five.

"Everyone will blame my keeper but I won't as my defenders should have made an angle for him. Even with my legs, I would have ran back and tried to help him.

"My players need to be mentally tougher as a group. I am disappointed with how we finished today. We have got to try and be a bigger, braver and more solid team."