Queens Park Rangers 2-3 Derby County: Rams fight back to stay in play-off race

For 76 minutes, it looked like there would only be one winner.

But the Rs were ultimately made to pay for a catalogue of missed chances. Julien Stephan’s side had 23 shots to Derby’s 12 – and 12 on target.

For the Rams – three shots on target, three goals.

QPR hammered at the Derby goal from the first minute and were almost ahead within five – Jacob Widell Zetterstrom saving from Kone’s shot at point-blank range before Vale struck the post with the follow-up.

Paul Smyth tested the Rams stopper from distance before Vale got his second bite at the cherry, this time taking it with precision.

The former Chelsea winger received the ball from Daniel Bennie’s pullback, taking a touch and opening up his body before drilling the ball into the bottom corner with his left boot.

Kieran Morgan sent one over the bar as the Rs looked to double their lead, with the equaliser coming against the run of play; Fraulo stroking the ball home after Max Johnston’s miscued strike landed at his feet in the box.

Kone’s goal to retake the lead for the hosts on 55 minutes certainly felt like it had been coming.

The Ivorian striker chested down a chip forward from Vale and swept home his 11th goal of the season in all competitions.

The Hoops looked to close the game out and extinguish the Rams’ hopes of a late gatecrash of the play-offs until Langas nodded in from Joe Ward’s cross into the six-yard box.

QPR went down to 10 men for the final few minutes as Rumarn Burrell, who has only recently returned from a long-term lay-off, went off injured, with no substitutions left available to Stephan.

The moment of the match came with just two minutes left of normal time, as Banel danced his way through two challenges and arrowed the ball into the top corner to settle a great comeback.

It means if Wrexham do not beat Coventry on Sunday then the Rams will be in with a chance of finishing sixth if they beat Sheffield United on the final day, having spent just one matchday in the play-off spots all season.