Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Warburton has said that a ‘refereeing decision cost his side the game' last night, as QPR lost 3-1 at home to Brentford in the Championship.

Ollie Watkins headed Brentford into the lead midway through the first-half at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium last night, with Grant Hall equalising for the home side after the restart.

Said Benrahma put Brentford back ahead though on the hour mark with a controversial penalty, and Watkins added a third and his second of the game in injury time to seal an impressive 3-1 win in the West London derby.

Speaking after the game, Warburton said:

“I think in the first half we didn’t move the ball quickly enough and in truth we deserved to be 1-0 down at the break.

“In the second half we started much better, we moved the ball well and we got the goal back.

“At 1-1 we have the ascendancy. It was always going to be a tight game decided by fine margins but it is a very soft decision which has cost us, I have to say it’s a poor decision and to lose in that manner is hugely frustrating.

“It was always going to be tight and that one decision has cost us.”

Thomas Frank’s Brentford made it three wins in a row in the Championship last night, with arguably their best performance of the season at the home of their West London rivals.

The win takes them to 12th in the Championship, whilst QPR missed the chance to go 2nd and instead stay 8th.

“Brentford deserved the half-time lead but we got the crowd behind us in the second half,” said Warburton. “The keeper pulled off a great save, then we got the goal and we looked good.

“We were moving the ball from left to right, creating lots of space and the ball players were starting to dictate the play, so it’s very frustrating to lose to that type of decision.”

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The verdict

QPR can feel hard done by referee Andy Woolmer. Bryan Mbuemo appeared to dive inside the QPR penalty box to win the penalty last night, which subsequently changed the dynamic of the game.

Though throughout the 90, Brentford were the better team and probably deserved the win.

Watkins was once again on top-form, and part of a Brentford front-three that are gelling more and more each week.

Warburton’s side missed a big opportunity to go into the automatic promotion places last night, but the tables remains tight and a couple of wins can throw his team right back into contention.