QPR manager Ian Holloway was delighted with his side’s 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon, the R’s boss happy his side had stifled Mick McCarthy’s Blues.

East Anglian Daily Times: Terry Connor shouts out instructions at Loftus Road Picture PagepixTerry Connor shouts out instructions at Loftus Road Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

An energetic home side were quicker to the ball and stronger in the tackle than Town, and deservedly went two goals ahead, albeith the first goal saw Massimo Luongo handle the ball in the lead-up.

Bersant Celina grabbed a superb late consolation for Ipswich, who suffered their seconod successive defeat in the league, following a home defeat to QPR’s west London neighbours, Fulham, before the international break.

“It was tough, it was close and it was a very good game. There was a period in the first half where we were very open and they were very open and it was very very exciting, but I think the fans helped us,” Holloway said.

“I felt we defended brilliantly today against a team that have been, not free-scoring but have hardly missed.

East Anglian Daily Times: Callum Connolly on his debut at QPR Picture PagepixCallum Connolly on his debut at QPR Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

“They’ve taken nearly every single chance they’ve created, and we haven’t let them create too many, there was only McGoldrick who tried to take Alex Baptiste on, and he didn’t beat him so it was magnificent.

“The group are taking on what I’ve asked them to do which is defend and put their bodies on the line so I’m delighted that we managed to see that through.

“Obviously I’m disappointed with the goal because we can’t keep backing off. I had it when I first came here with the Norwich game, I’d never seen anyone go so deep, but the crowd stayed with us, the boys are happy in there and now we have to get ready for Tuesday.”

Jamie Mackie’s opener was shrouded in controversy with Holloway agreeing with his opposite nuber McCarthy, that there was a blatant handball by Luongo in the lead-up.

East Anglian Daily Times: Bartosz Bialkowski is beaten for QPR's second against Ipswich Picture PagepixBartosz Bialkowski is beaten for QPR's second against Ipswich Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

“We had a massive stroke of fortune where the referee should have seen a handball by Massimo Luongo,” Holloway added.

“I’d be fuming if I were Mick McCarthy. We (managers and officials) had a meeting in the summer and talked about game-changing moments – well if that’s not a game-changing moment I don’t know what is.

“We were on the half way line and the ball popped up off Mass (Luongo), I think he’s just moved it with his hand past the bloke it was going to hit, and I thought I could see the movement and thought the fourth official should have seen it, and he should have the power to tell the referee.

“He says he didn’t see it, Mick saw it, I saw it, and that’s one of the ones you get away with. Did I ask him to do it? No. You could did he deliberately cheat, but the referee is paid to look at that and see that.

East Anglian Daily Times: David McGoldrick battles at Loftus Road Picture PagepixDavid McGoldrick battles at Loftus Road Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

“Luckily for us today we were able to capitalise on that and then get the second goal. The group is doing what I’ve asked them to. We fought to the end and I’m delighted with the way we managed to see that through.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Jonas Knudsen is well off target with this second half chance at QPR Picture PagepixJonas Knudsen is well off target with this second half chance at QPR Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Callum Connolly on his debut at QPR Picture PagepixCallum Connolly on his debut at QPR Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Cole Skuse tries to halt a run by QPR's Massimo Luongo Picture PagepixCole Skuse tries to halt a run by QPR's Massimo Luongo Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Joe Garner puts his head in first as QPR's Jake Bidwell clears Picture PagepixJoe Garner puts his head in first as QPR's Jake Bidwell clears Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: David McGoldrick shoots during the second half at QPR Picture PagepixDavid McGoldrick shoots during the second half at QPR Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: David McGoldrick with a first half header on target at Loftus Road Picture PagepixDavid McGoldrick with a first half header on target at Loftus Road Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Tom Adeyemi goes in for the ball at QPR Picture PagepixTom Adeyemi goes in for the ball at QPR Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Callum Connolly with a very late second half chance at QPR Picture PagepixCallum Connolly with a very late second half chance at QPR Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Callum Connolly cannot believe his very late second half chance at QPR has been blocked Picture PagepixCallum Connolly cannot believe his very late second half chance at QPR has been blocked Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Jordan Spence is outnumbered as QPR get men behind the ball in the dying minutes of the match at Loftus Road Picture PagepixJordan Spence is outnumbered as QPR get men behind the ball in the dying minutes of the match at Loftus Road Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Disappointed Ipswich players at the final whistle after the loss to QPR Picture PagepixDisappointed Ipswich players at the final whistle after the loss to QPR Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Tom Adeyemi is beaten to the ball at QPR by Kazenga Lualua Picture PagepixTom Adeyemi is beaten to the ball at QPR by Kazenga Lualua Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Despair for Ipswich as they fail to convert last gasp chances to score at Loftus Road. Picture PagepixDespair for Ipswich as they fail to convert last gasp chances to score at Loftus Road. Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Disappointed Ipswich Town fans at QPR Picture PagepixDisappointed Ipswich Town fans at QPR Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

East Anglian Daily Times: Disappointed Ipswich Town fans at QPR Picture PagepixDisappointed Ipswich Town fans at QPR Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)