Second-half goals from Joel Lynch and Matt Smith saw Rs beat Trotters 2-0 in Championship

Queens Park Rangers boss Ian Holloway hailed his team for a professional performance in their 2-0 win at home to Bolton Wanderers in the Championship.

After a goalless first half at Loftus Road, the Rs were given a boost in the 54th minute when the Trotters had Mark Little dismissed for a poorly-timed challenge on Massimo Luongo.

In the 72nd minute, QPR took the lead when defender Joel Lynch turned in a header across goal from Matt Smith.

The Rs forward then turned scorer in stoppage time, nodding in a Paul Smyth cross to seal the win.

Victory lifted QPR 11 points clear of the relegation zone following Saturday’s round of matches, much to the delight of their manager.

“I thought it was a good performance. We were professional and did what we needed to do,” said the 54-year-old Holloway.

“I thought it was always going to be cagey. You could tell that by the atmosphere in the ground.

“The fans were probably all driving in today, looking at the table and the points, thinking ‘Oh my God, what it we don’t beat them?’.

“I’m delighted that this team at the minute, even with the young kids in and around it, was professional and did what they needed to do.

“Even with the injuries we’ve had this week, I felt even though we didn’t get what we possibly deserved in the first half, we still kept going.

“When they got a man sent off and we had to adjust, it’s not easy, but we still kept plugging and looked dangerous.

“The nice thing for me is I thought we were professional and did the job, we didn’t need anyone get all excited around us.”

Little’s dismissal was certainly a talking point, with Bolton feeling their man had been shown a harsh red card.

Holloway, though, was non-committal about the incident, though did add that referees have a tough job in officiating matches.

“We were all screaming and shouting throughout the game. They were and we were,” added the QPR boss.

“It’s not easy being a ref and I’m glad I’m not. I tried it in training the other week and I was useless. You have to run with whatever they do.”

It was a solid win for the Rs as they maintained their fine form at home in 2018.