Two stoppage-time goals saw Rs earn a point against their west London rivals

Forward Matt Smith says Queens Park Rangers had every belief they could get something out of their west London derby with Brentford after battling back from two goals down to draw 2-2 in the Championship on Monday.

After a goalless first half at Loftus Road, Bees forward Lasse Vibe scored twice in the second period to seemingly send QPR on their way to a defeat at home to their local rivals.

However, two stoppage-time goals, the first from substiute Smith and the second from Luke Freeman, salvaged a point for the Rs.

It’s not the first time this term Ian Holloway’s men have scored late to salvage something from a game this term, having rescued six points so far this season by scoring in the final 10 minutes of matches.

That is something Smith is fully aware of, and the striker admits that gave QPR the hope they needed against Brentford, despite being in what seemed a difficult predicament heading into stoppage time.

“We have a knack of scoring goals in the final stages of a game. Plenty of times we’ve managed to do that, especially at home, so we never gave up hope,” the 28-year-old told Sky Sports.

“We’re all surprised by the nature of the goals that went in as they were a bit scrappy, but we’ll take the point on the board.”

Prior to the late goals against Brentford, QPR looked to be heading for a fourth straight defeat in the league.

Though they battled back to draw against the Bees, the Rs went the whole of November without a win.

That poor run followed a fine October in which Holloway’s men went unbeaten and ended it by beating both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United at home.

Having now played the last of their matches in November, the west Londoners will hope their luck turns at Preston North End on Saturday when they start a busy December.

And Smith believes the manner of the draw against Brentford on Monday will hand QPR a timely boost ahead of their journey north.

“The season is going to have its ups and downs. We’ve taken a bit of a downward turn after taking points off Wolves and Sheffield United,” he added.

“We need to bounce back and hopefully the draw will spur us on at Preston on Saturday.”