Verdict
QPR cranked up like a rusty bone-shaker - but once warhorse Clint Hill scored, it settled home nerves. Even after Charlie Austin added a fortuitous second, it was far from over.
Cardiff scored, and the action swung from end to end to give fans tennis neck. It turned out to be a bit of a thriller in the end. But after Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Matt Phillips missed relatively easy chances, you just knew what would happen next.
Scott Malone's half-volley in added-on time was about right in the end, if it's justice you're after.
First half:
Neither side had a hand entertaining the 14,927 who gave up their Saturday tea for this meagre feast. Chery flashed a couple of decent crosses across the goal, but also sent two woeful corners to the other corner flag.
Cardiff tried to do the same, and there was nothing in it until Clint Hill rose at the back post to head down and in.
It was the Hoops hero's fifth in 158 appearances for the club, and it settled home nerves, even though Rob Green had to save at his near post from Anthony Pilkington.
Second half:
This was more like it!
Rangers had chances even before they got lucky with a ricochet at a corner for Charlie Austin to chest home. Cardiff had soon halved the deficit when woeful defending left Sean Morrison a free header in the box.
An Austin shot was cleared off the line by former Hoop Matt Connolly who also hit his own post as he did so. Cardiff bayed for a Green red card as he ran from his area to chest away, and Phillips was in the clear only to find the keeper's legs.
Michael Dougty proved a worthy sub, but the equaliser was a kick in the guts.
