Perch hands it to Lambert

DAVE EDWARDS and Helder Costa gave Paul Lambert his first victory as Wolves boss last night but it was really QPR’s James Perch who handed over all three points.

The right-back’s ridiculous red card for two pointless bookings left the hosts with 10 men for 55 minutes.

Wolves had initially struggled to make their advantage count but Edwards and Costa were on target within a seven-minute second-half period to finally give them something to smile about.

It was Wolves’ first win since September and Costa’s goal was superb as his mazy run confused the QPR defence before he netted.

Both had endured difficult times of late and turned to experienced Championship managers in a bid to change their fortunes.

Ian Holloway lived up to his passionate billing as, clad in a blue-and-white scarf, he orchestrated QPR from the touchline, while his opposite number was a bit more relaxed.

SPORT IN BRIEF

Onuoha volleyed over from Jack Robinson’s cross but this game failed to come to life until Perch’s red card 10 minutes before the break.

The defender’s late tackle on Matt Doherty resulted in a second yellow after he had been booked for dissent earlier in the game. Then came the second half and what would have delighted Lambert as Wolves turned on the style to go 2-0 up.

It would have been four but for two excellent stops by keeper Smithies, one when Doherty was clean through after being set up by Costa.

Joel Lynch set up a tense finale with a goal for QPR in the 90th minute – and he nearly scored again soon after in a scramble in the box.

But Wolves survived seven long minutes of injury-time.

QPR (4-4-2): Booked: Goal: WOLVES (4-3-3): Booked: Goals: Sent off: