Idrissa Sylla’s third goal for QPR was enough to beat Bristol City and give the hosts a first home win since the season’s opening day.

The Guinea international’s poacher’s finish 15 minutes from the end was just reward for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s men who had to cope with the adversity of losing both Joel Lynch and Jordan Cousins to injury.

The early stages were enlivened by a goal-saving tackle at either end.

Cross: Adam Matthews of Bristol City (L) tries to tackle Joel Lynch

The visitors threatened on five minutes first when Lee Tomlin got through a weak challenge by James Perch, but as he was about to shoot Steven Caulker slid in to clear.

Just passed the quarter hour the boot was on the other foot as Sylla’s strength saw him hold off challenges and release Massimo Luongo, but Adam Matthews made the vital intervention.

At the other end Tomlin seized on a mistake by Tjaronn Chery and only a strong left hand from Alex Smithies kept his effort out.

Rangers’ injury woes continued when Joel Lynch limped away from the action, but the hosts responded well with Ariel Borysiuk seeing a long-range effort deflected wide.

Me! Lee Tomlin of Bristol City is shown a yellow card

Yet City would have led at the break had Tammy Abraham not fired a fraction wide in the last minute of the half.

Chery tested Frank Fielding again with a low shot soon after the restart but the injury curse struck again with Jordan Cousins’ comeback failing to reach the hour.

Again Rs’ responded well to adversity with Conor Washington coming the closest yet to a goal with a curler onto the bar with Fielding beaten.

Rangers had City penned in their own half, but on the rarest of raids Bobby Reid sat his marker on the floor and seemed certain to score only for a giant hand from Smithies to deflect the ball to safety.

Taking aim: Idrissa Sylla

The importance of the save came just minutes later when Luongo escaped down the right and delivered a perfect cross for Sylla to steer in from close range.

Aden Flint and Abraham both headed over in a nervy finish, but Rangers held on.

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