Relieved Queens Park Rangers boss Ian Holloway admitted his side’s 2-1 success at struggling Birmingham City was a crucial win.

Jack Robinson scored his first two goals for the club, either side of Sam Gallagher’s second-half equaliser, to earn QPR their first away win in 18 attempts, since a 4-1 triumph over Birmingham last season.

And Holloway said: “We had to show character and believe in what we were doing.

“The first goal was vital but what pleased me was the way we hit back after Birmingham equalised.”

Holloway was delighted with Robinson’s two goals, adding: “It is 115 games without him scoring in the league and I have just asked the doping people to test him. Something must be going on. Joking apart, the boy has been magnificent.

“For me Robinson has made the most progress I have had with any player I have had in my career. His determination is the secret to his goals. He played for Liverpool when he was 16 and England and it hadn’t gone the way he wanted because of injuries.

“I must say I am so proud of him. I am bursting with pride and I told him that before the game.

“We have had so many defensive injuries it has been extremely difficult. This was an immense result and I was pleased how it was achieved.

“The away win has been a long time coming but we have had to shake it off. This division is frightening as there are teams who have gone eight games without a win.

“Steve Cotterill’s team did not give up and kept going. I think he deserves all sorts of credit after making loads, loads, loads and loads of changes.

“But at the moment it is very difficult and you have to be careful what you wish, particularly when you want success. I am sure Birmingham’s day will come.”

Birmingham boss Cotterill saw his side slump to the bottom of the table after the loss and called on his players to work harder to get out of relegation trouble.

Cotterill, who has only seen Birmingham win two games since he took over, said: “When I came in we were second from bottom so nothing has changed. It makes it worse looking at the table. We now have to work harder to get out of trouble.

“Some of the problems we had last season we still have. There is no quick fix to this situation. It is not all about adding new players as the current players are burdened with the problem. I cannot fault their efforts.

“The lack of goals is nothing new so far as Birmingham is concerned. It compounds the situation and doesn’t make it easy.

“I do not think we deserved to lose. In the first half we were nervous but in the second half we were upbeat. We deservedly got the equaliser and I thought we were going to go on and win the game as they were on the back foot.”