LACK OF FANS A WORRY FOR WARBURTON

QPR boss Mark Warburton fears for many clubs’ futures after the Government’s decision to put back the return of crowds.

Saturday’s match had been due to be a test event, with 1,000 fans allowed in. But with no income through the turnstiles, Warburton feels the future is bleak for plenty of sides outside the top flight.

“Everything changed with the announcement on Tuesday,” he said. “What you might have been able to afford on Monday afternoon, you couldn’t afford on Wednesday morning.

“The Premier League is the land of milk and honey with the money they have to spend, but don’t think that filters down.

“There are no crowds coming through, potentially until the end of the season. So it is going to be a survival battle for many clubs.”

Chuba Akpom made the perfect start to his Middlesbrough career, heading in Paddy McNair’s corner after 19 minutes, on his debut after signing from Greek side PAOK.

Bright Osayi-Samuel (celebrating, above) levelled for QPR on 27 minutes, tucking in a rebound after Luke Amos’ effort was saved, and finishing a move he had started on the edge of the Hoops’ penalty area with a 60-yard run he continued.

Boro are still without a win in three games. But Kevin Blackwell, in charge while manager Neil Warnock self isolates after testing positive for Covid-19, was full of praise for sub Dael Fry, who had coronavirus in the summer.

Fry made a vital challenge to deny Ilias Chair a winner, and Blackwell said: “He slotted straight in, he was strong and didn’t give them a look-in.”

QPR: Dieng 6, Kakay 7, Dickie 5, Barbet 4, Wallace 5, Cameron 5, Amos 7, Thomas 5 (Carroll 60, 6), Chair 5 (Smyth 73, 5), Osayi-Samuel 7, Dykes 6

BORO: Bettinelli 6, Dijksteel 4, Hall 5 (Fry 55, 6), McNair 6, Spence 5 (Morsy 64, 5), Howson 6, Saville 5, Johnson 5, Tavernier 5, Assombalonga 6, Akpom 7

MOTM

BRIGHT OSAYI-SAMUEL (QPR)