Will Lankshear's seventh goal in as many matches gave Middlesbrough a 1-0 victory against previously-unbeaten QPR. The striker has been a revelation since his summer move from Tottenham and his predatory first-half finish at Loftus Road took Boro up to second in the Championship table.

Boro led at half-time in their previous two away games this season and did not manage to win, but this time they held on. Rangers had taken 10 points from their opening four matches, leaving them second and in high spirits ahead of this test of their credentials against one of the division's heavyweights.

However, by the end of a first half dominated by Boro, Chair and striker Richard Kone had gone off injured and the hosts were a goal down. The 20th-minute breakthrough came when Callum Brittain won a challenge against Paul Smyth on the right and drilled a low cross across the face of goal, with Lankshear netting at the far post.

As Rangers continued to search in vain for an equaliser, Tariq Lamptey fired over, Jimmy Dunne was just unable to connect with Nicolas Madsen's corner and Middlesbrough defended well, particularly in the final minutes, to secure a hard-fought but deserved win.