Washington can’t come up trumps for Rangers
PROMOTION-CHASING Leeds missed the chance to keep up the pressure on the Championship’s top two after an Elland Road stalemate.
Garry Monk’s men failed to get into their stride against a dogged Rangers side and they are now 11 points off the automatic promotion places.
And QPR could easily have taken all three points with Conor Washington wasting great chances either side of the break.
Leeds created few clear-cut chances as Rangers kept dangerman Chris Wood quiet.
Ian Holloway’s visitors made the better start with Luke Freeman firing wide before Darnell Furlong glanced a header wide.
Matt Smith also headed a corner off target and veteran Leeds keeper Rob Green, making his 600th league appearance against one of his former clubs, saved well from Washington two minutes later.
Alfonso Pedraza brought the best out of Alex Smithies as Leeds registered their first attempt in the 18th minute.
Green saved well in the 48th minute as Smith again proved tough to beat in the air before Jake Bidwell’s shot was also comfortably stopped.
Then QPR threw away a four-on-three break as a loose ball allowed Kyle Bartley to get back and cover.
Washington lashed wide with just Green to beat before Wood flicked a header wide from Pablo Hernandez’s cross and Green saved well from Freeman after Furlong’s long throw caused bother.
Monk said: “There are no excuses from us, we didn’t do enough to win the game.
“We were below the standards, especially at Elland Road, of what we usually set.
“We are always great at responding and we will do that in the coming games. We will push to get back to the levels we expect.”
Holloway said: “I’m so pleased. A point was the least we deserved. The boys were brilliant against a good side.
“We carved out the better chances. Our gameplan was to counter and take the game to them. And that’s what we did. To come here and play like that, wow!”