Gorkss grabs QPR glory

Gorkss: Late winner

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Kaspars Gorkss sealed a 2-1 victory for high-flying Queens Park Rangers against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Jay Simpson's early opener for the visitors was almost immediately cancelled out by Jermaine Johnson and both sides continued to create chances in an entertaining encounter.

But it was QPR who secured all three points as Gorkss headed home a Alejandro Faurlin corner in the 82nd minute to send QPR fourth in the table.

Early breakthrough

QPR started brightly and took the lead when Simpson latched on to a neat through ball from Adel Taarabt before driving his shot beyond Lee Grant.

Wednesday almost conceded a second two minutes later when Wayne Routledge found space in the area and fired against the upright.

But the hosts drew level in the 13th minute when Darren Potter's cross found Johnson and the Jamaica international's shot sneaked into the far corner.

Luke Varney almost put the Owls ahead in the 24th minute following a fine solo run, but Radek Cerny managed to get a hand to his shot and tip it on to the near post.

QPR then lost Fitz Hall to an injury, with Matthew Connolly coming on in his place, before Ben Watson's 25-yarder brought a fine save from Grant.

Johnson saw a shot whistle wide at the other end, while Grant made another useful stop to deny Routledge as an open first period drew to a close.

The lively Johnson tested Cerny again five minutes after the interval and Potter curled a free-kick narrowly over the bar as Wednesday enjoyed a prolonged spell of pressure.

Attacking threat

Rangers were finding it difficult to stem the tide, although they offered a reminder of their attacking threat when a swift break ended with Taarabt firing into the side-netting.

Simpson then created space for himself with a delightful piece of skill, but his shot was comfortably pouched by Grant.

The Owls responded by striking the woodwork for a second time in the 64th minute - Tommy Miller the unfortunate party on this occasion as his powerful 20-yarder cannoned off the post.

Leon Clarke came off the bench for Wednesday with 14 minutes remaining and almost made an immediate impression with a shot that deflected wide.

But Gorkss had the final say as he nodded home Faurlin's corner to secure victory for Rangers.