Last updated on .From the section Championship

Nahki Wells netted QPR's equaliser just two minutes after Boro's first goal

Britt Assombalonga ended Middlesbrough's goal drought with a double as they fought back to claim a point against QPR.

Boro had failed to find the net in their previous four games, but Assombalonga headed in Jonny Howson's cross to put them ahead in the first half.

Nahki Wells responded with an immediate equaliser before Grant Hall nodded Rangers in front on the stroke of half-time.

However, Assombalonga levelled again 20 minutes from time and a string of fine saves from Darren Randolph ensured the visitors shared the spoils.

Boro were on top in the early stages and Daniel Ayala had a second-minute header ruled out for offside before Howson capitalised on sloppy defending to set up Assombalonga.

But the lead lasted barely two minutes as Ryan Manning and Ilias Chair combined to send Wells clear and the QPR striker evaded the offside trap to fire past Randolph.

The goalkeeper produced an excellent save to deny Manning soon afterwards, but he was beaten again on the stroke of half-time as Hall's header deflected off Howson and spun past him.

Manning's howler gifted Boro their second-half equaliser as his attempted 40-yard back-pass dropped straight into the path of Assombalonga, who gratefully clipped the ball over Joe Lumley.

Rangers should still have taken all three points but were thwarted by Randolph, who foiled Manning, Wells and Ebere Eze in quick succession.

Former Boro player Jordan Hugill could have secured victory for QPR two minutes from time, flashing a header wide from Todd Kane's cross.

Middlesbrough, 22nd in the table, are now nine games without a win in the Championship but moved a point closer to safety after Luton lost at Reading.

QPR boss Mark Warburton:

"It was a sloppy start and we found ourselves a goal down, and it was a very good response from the boys.

"Everyone is asking me about the mistake [for Boro's second goal], but we are human. As a team we have got to take responsibility and be more clinical in front of the opponent's goal.

"We have taken two points from 12 but the boys have been hard done by in a couple of games.

"They are working hard and we are in a good position as it is a tight league."

Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Tees:

"From the start we were very good, my players showed great steel to get back into the game.

"We needed to show more intensity after we scored but QPR are a good team, top scorers in the Championship now but we deserved the win.

"Britt Assombalonga is the nine of the team and he'll score me goals, we've had a lot of chances in our last five games to win but today we took them.

"I've got players knocking on my door asking to play when they are not 100% fit and that shows what the players want to do for the club and me, I was pleased they did that."