Roofe was in the thick of the action in the opening stages and he eventually found a way past Rangers goalkeeper Joe Lumley on the stroke of half-time.

The United striker's spot-kick appeared to be sending Marcelo Bielsa's side top of the table but they remain in second following Norwich's late winner against Bolton.

Leeds made a bright start with Roofe turning Pablo Hernandez's cross wide before the Spanish playmaker himself scuffed a volley off target.

Roofe was inches away from getting a decisive touch on Ezgjan Alioski's scuffed cross and when he did connect with a shot – after Mateusz Klich's effort looped into the air – Lumley denied him.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell was forced into his first save when Eberechi Eze tried his luck from 20 yards but there was nothing the Leeds goalkeeper could do to keep out Wells' left-footed effort after the striker capitalised on an error by stand-in centre-back Kalvin Phillips.

Leeds lost their way as QPR grew in confidence after the opener and appeared set to go into the break behind before Roofe's last-gasp strike.

The home fans were growing impatient as Leeds stroked the ball around but they were soon on their feet as Roofe stabbed home Hernandez's toe-poked attempt.

After Hernandez threatened to complete the comeback with a fierce strike just after the restart, Leeds had a moment to savour when referee Peter Bankes pointed to the spot after Toni Leistner handled in the box.

Roofe took the responsibility and duly sent Lumley the wrong way to put Leeds ahead after 52 minutes.

QPR refused to lie down and twice went close through Wells, who blazed a shot over when well placed before curling another effort just wide of the left-hand post.

Klich shot straight at Lumley as Leeds sought a killer third goal and QPR boss Steve McClaren threw on big striker Matt Smith in the closing stages.

But some strong defending and Peacock-Farrell's fingertip save from Jake Bidwell's looping shot denied Rangers as Leeds held on in driving rain.

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