The last man QPR expected to get red-carded took the long walk and left his bench open-mouthed.

Yossi Benayoun got first go in the showers in time added on for a second yellow, and the innocuous Israeli will miss Saturday’s home clash with Blackpool as a result.

The midfielder, who boss Harry Redknapp once reckoned needed to put on weight rather than lose it, surprised assistant boss Kevin Bond.

He said: “I didn’t know he had in his locker to get sent off – and I don’t think he did either.

“For Yossi to get sent off, he’s got to be unlucky. Thankfully it didn’t affect the game although it will affect us in the long run when we miss him. He put in a shift tonight.”

The other surprise was the deft backheel from Clint Hill that set up Benayoun for the game’s only goal on 16 minutes.

Yet another gasp from Bond and co.

“Clint has been terrific for us, but I didn’t know he had that pass in his locker either,” the assistant joked.