Idrissa Sylla netted 12 minutes from time to rescue point for west Londoners at Trotters

Ian Holloway believes a 1-1 draw was the least his side deserved as Idrissa Sylla’s late leveller earned QPR a share of the spoils at rain-lashed Bolton.

Rock-bottom Bolton looked like sealing only a second league win of the season at a stormy Macron Stadium thanks to Darren Pratley’s 21st minute header.

But after piling incessant pressure on the home side in the second half, the west Londoners grabbed an equaliser with 12 minutes to go as Guinea international Sylla’s clever flick made its way past Ben Alnwick.

Holloway was happy his players had stood up to Bolton’s physical threat on a day that was not for shrinking violets.

QPR have still not won away from home in 14 games and have not gained a win of any kind in the last seven but the Hoops boss was nevertheless proud of their efforts.

“Bolton are probably one of the biggest teams I’ve ever played against or maybe I’m getting shorter,” he said. “We knew that but well done to them - they got two free headers in our box and scored.

“Our players should have dealt with it but it was against the run of play.

“In the second half I thought we were very professional and I want them to have more belief in themselves, and with the stats on what we created, we’re more than happy with that.”

QPR were thwarted for much of a one-sided second half, Alnwick making one fine save from Sylla on his own goal-line.

Holloway was disappointed, however, that having found the equalising goal his team did not push on for more.

“I think after our goal, there was only one team that was going on to win it and I think any Bolton fan watching would agree,” he said.

“When we do get like that though, we stop doing that to people, especially when we score away from home. We’ve got to learn to keep people pinned back.”

Bolton boss Phil Parkinson was frustrated at having lost the lead late on but after talking four points from the last two games, reckons his side are looking more likely to survive in the Championship.

“It was a difficult game and the conditions played a massive part but we adapted well first half. It was a good, solid performance,” he said.

“Second half we struggled to get any quality in our clearances or a wide player to get us up the pitch. So many times we slashed at things and we were under pressure again.

“In saying that there wasn’t a lot of chances for either side. We had the better ones and a scruffy, deflected goal has got them back in it.

“I feel that from where we were prior to the Sheffield Wednesday game, four points from six, we would have taken that. Of course there’s some frustration because when you’re 1-0 up you feel like you should keep hold of the lead.

“But we don’t look like a team who are short on confidence any more.”

Parkinson reserved special praise for centre-half David Wheater, who made a number of goal-saving challenges.

“It was a day for centre-halves and Wheater was outstanding,” he said.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him since I have been here but his performance today was colossal.

“Our flair players - Sammy Ameobi, Fil Morais, Craig Noone, Adam Armstrong - all struggled a bit to get in the game. But the big lads at the back were strong and Wheats in particular was outstanding.”