McClaren’s got his old cup mojo back

WINNER: Bidwell scores STEVE McCLAREN hailed QPR’s first FA Cup win without a replay since 1997 – but Leeds were left to focus on promotion.

The former England boss lost his opening four Championship games on his return to English football in the summer.

But his QPR side yesterday extended their unbeaten run to six games with an entertaining win over the league leaders to show the progress he has made – and his old cup magic.

McClaren, who won the League Cup and reached the UEFA Cup final with Middlesbrough, said: “In the last few weeks we have created history by beating Forest for the first time in 85 years and today we are in the fourth round for the first time in a long time.

“I thought it was a fantastic performance. Cup football is important to me. It was drummed into me since my first year in management by Steve Gibson. The cups are exciting and long may it continue. It showed the future is bright.”

Leeds’ Tyler Roberts hit both posts with a shot after only 25 seconds but Rangers went ahead through an Aramide Oteh penalty in the 23rd minute after Leif Davis tripped Jake Bidwell.

The lead lasted only two minutes as QPR keeper Matt Ingram fumbled a Lewis Baker free-kick and Aapo Halme tapped home his first goal for Leeds. Ingram made amends with a series of fine saves before Bidwell headed home the 75th-minute winner from a Luke Freeman corner.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa said: “I think we deserved to lose. We made too many mistakes.

“The teams that are just behind us score a goal every two or three chances. We need five or six chances to score.”