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Eze doubled QPR's lead from the penalty spot

Ebere Eze's double secured QPR's first victory in eight games as they overcame Preston at Loftus Road.

Eze put Rangers ahead in the 17th minute, collecting Geoff Cameron's pass and firing home at the second attempt.

The England Under-21 international sealed the points midway through the second half, tucking away a penalty after Marc Pugh had been brought down.

It was the first time QPR had registered a clean sheet in 23 league games, while Preston's defeat - their fourth on the spin - means they drop out of the top six.

Rangers winger Bright Osayi-Samuel went close early on, with Declan Rudd diving to smother the chance, before the home side snatched the lead.

Cameron's floated ball over the top picked out Eze and, although his initial shot was saved by Rudd, the rebound sat up perfectly for the QPR playmaker to slot home.

Rudd was tested again by Pugh soon afterwards, but Preston fought back towards the end of the first half and Sean Maguire was only denied by Grant Hall's last-ditch challenge.

Alex Neil's side applied more pressure after the break, but they found themselves 2-0 down after Rudd felled Pugh, with Eze stepping up to score his second from the spot.

Rangers goalkeeper Joe Lumley ensured a rare shut-out for his side, diving to foil Billy Bodin from close range 10 minutes from time.

QPR manager Mark Warburton:

"The save he (Lumley) made late in the game, low to his left, was a world-class save. He's 24 and in goalkeeping terms that's very young still.

"He's come through a couple of mistakes and showed his quality - he was outstanding for us today. He's learned from his mistakes, the crowd supported him and I'm delighted.

"We've got Ebere (Eze), Nahki Wells and Jordan Hugill, so we've got front players scoring goals, which is what you need.

"The clean sheet also takes the pressure off the defence."

Preston boss Alex Neil told BBC Lancashire:

"First half we didn't really do too much going forward - we had probably two opportunities. I thought the second half was a bit better, we moved the ball better and looked more threatening.

"The key moments that came up in the game, they took. We should probably have had a foul on the far side, then the next move leads to their penalty.

"I think the penalty's a dubious one as well - the referee said he wasn't sure, hence the reason he went and spoke to his linesman and the linesman said he didn't see it.

"I don't know how you can give a penalty if you're not sure - there must be at least six bodies in front of him. That took the wind out of our sails a bit."