Reaking; Leeds United moved up to sixth place in the Championship as they edged

Leeds took the lead right away against the goal-averse R’s thanks to Crysencio Summerville’s tidy finish as the hosts dominated the first half.

It took both teams until the final 15 minutes to generate any meaningful chances, when Patrick Bamford’s shot was saved and Pascal Struijk also came dangerously near.

With three minutes remaining, Rangers had a chance to earn a point, but Illan Meslier used his chest to block Lyndon Dykes’ clear-cut shot.

Asmir Begovic, the goalkeeper, was dismissed in stoppage time for a challenge on striker Patrick Bamford as he was going through on the edge of the box, despite the fact that replays revealed there was no contact between the two.

After the game R’s boss Gareth Ainsworth said he had verification from both players that there was no contact and he hoped the red card would be overturned.

The loss extends QPR’s winless run to five games as they remain in the Championship relegation zone.

Summerville’s first goal since the opening day of the season came after some good work down the left by Georginio Rutter to set up the Dutchman, whose neat touch took him round his marker before he found the bottom corner.

Joe Rodon should have doubled the lead three minutes later as he got on the end of Summerville’s corner at the back post, but his header was off target while Summerville saw a close-range effort blocked on the line.

Rutter was a constant threat for Leeds down the left as they had the lion’s share of the possession but struggled to pick the right final pass to get through QPR’s defence.

Jaidon Anthony had a shot blocked after the break as the game threw up few good chances – Rangers’ first attempt on goal came after 66 minutes when Ilias Chair’s low effort from 25 yards was gathered by Meslier.

Bamford had a shot well saved and Dan James’ deflected shot was palmed over from the resulting corner kick. Struijk then skied an effort from inside the six-yard box from the following corner.

Despite offering little during the game QPR will be unhappy with how it ended – first through Dykes’ miss and then with Begovic’s red card, which you would expect the Londoners will appeal against.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke Report

“I’m really happy and really pleased and I told the lads in the dressing room that today I’m really proud.

“When the confidence level is not there like it was before, to grind out a result is never champagne or football fireworks, it’s always hard work.

“To bring this tight lead over the line and be there again with a clean sheet and answer a disappointing loss with a win is fantastic.”

QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth:

“We’ve had a few such collapses in my time, so I’m really impressed of the boys’ tenacity.

“They gave everything, but I asked for a little bit more output and a little bit more of the pledged work rate, which we got tonight. I believe we will perform far better than people anticipate.

“He doesn’t touch him (Bamford),” Begovic said. Both players have confirmed to me that there is no interaction.

Patrick is a nice kid, and he just leaped out of the way, which the referee noticed since he initially believed he had caught him. I don’t know if we can get it reversed, but we might.