QPR 1 Ipswich 0: Kevin Hitchcock's son keeps Harry happy with late debut strike



Young striker Tom Hitchcock scored a last-minute winner on his QPR debut to decide a dramatic victory over Ipswich at Loftus Road.



Hitchcock, the son of former Chelsea goalkeeper and QPR coach Kevin Hitchcock, tapped into an empty net after Charlie Austin’s effort had been parried by Ipswich goalkeeper Scott Loach.



Harry Redknapp’s side had already hit the bar twice, first through Clint Hill and then Austin, before the 20-year-old son of QPR goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock struck.



Pure delight: Kevin Hitchcock (left) congratulates his son Tom (right) after the game Big hug: The pair share an emotional embrace after Queens Park Rangers' late victory

Match facts

QPR: Green, Simpson, Dunne, Onuoha, Hill, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Henry (Jenas 77), Hoilett (O'Neil 56), Zamora (Hitchcock 83), Austin. Subs Not Used: Yun, Murphy, Ehmer, Mo Shariff. Goals: Hitchcock 90. Ipswich: Loach, Hewitt, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell, Edwards, Skuse (Tunnicliffe 46), Tabb, Hyam, McGoldrick, Murphy (Taylor 63), Taylor (Nouble 86). Subs Not Used: Berra, Anderson, Veseli, Crowe. Booked: Tabb. Att: 17,075 Ref: Michael Naylor (Sheffield). Click HERE for full results, fixtures and tables in the Championship

However, Rangers will be concerned about Junior Hoilett - a reported transfer target for Stoke - after he limped off with what looked like a hamstring injury seven minutes into the second half.



But the result maintains their encouraging start to life in the Sky Bet Championship following last season’s relegation from the top flight.

They enjoyed a decent spell of pressure midway through the first half, during which Shaun Wright-Phillips’ deflected shot went narrowly over and Nedum Onuoha missed the target with a header.



Austin, making his full home debut for the Rs, was twice denied a goal in the space of a couple of minutes.



Hoilett found space on the left and picked out the former Burnley forward, whose first-time effort was blocked by Town defender Tommy Smith.



Then, Austin’s shot from Danny Simpson’s right-wing cross was well saved by Loach.

Here he comes: Hitchcock came on as a second half sub for Bobby Zamora to make his debut But Ipswich, who had won on four of their previous seven visits to Shepherd’s Bush, had the best opportunity to go ahead before the break.

Jay Tabb sent in a cross in from the left and, after centre-back Richard Dunne challenged David McGoldrick, the loose ball fell to Daryl Murphy, whose weak attempt from eight yards out was tipped away by keeper Robert Green.

Here he comes: Hitchcock came on as a second half sub for Bobby Zamora to make his debut

Here he comes: Hitchcock came on as a second half sub for Bobby Zamora to make his debut

The loss of Hoilett was a blow for Rangers but they continued to press and almost went ahead shortly after the hour mark.



Joey Barton’s free-kick from the right was headed against the frame of the goal by Hill, with Dunne unable to force home the rebound.



Hill twice headed over before Austin then squandered a golden chance to break the deadlock after beating the offside trap to collect Wright-Phillips’ ball into the box with 13 minutes remaining.



Unmarked and with only Loach to beat, Austin opted for power and sent a ferocious shot against the underside of the bar when it seemed easier to score.

