Blackburn Rovers twice threw away a one-goal lead as they drew with Queens Park Rangers 2-2 in tonight's Championship game at Loftus Road.

Tommy Spurr had to be replaced just two minutes into the game after receiving a knee to the cheek and falling down unconscious.

Shane Duffy made life easier for Rovers though, the defender rising high against debutant Alex Smithies to nudge the ball over the line and get his side an early goal.

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Karl Henry blazed an effort over the bar before Charlie Austin's snap-shot came close as the home side looked to equalise, and equalise they did 30 seconds into the second half, Austin firing in from a tight angle after his initial shot had been parried.

QPR then had a shout for a handball in the box turned down before Jordan Rhodes put Blackburn back ahead. A long ball was knocked down by Bengali-Fode Koita and the Scot showed great strength to hold off the challenge of Nedum Onuoha and stroke the ball home.

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Onuoha atoned for his defensive lapse 10 minutes from time, however, sending a bullet header past Jason Steele to give QPR a valuable point from the match.

The draw sees the Londoners move up to eighth in the Championship, while Blackburn toil in 23rd.