QPR were dumped out of the Carabao Cup 3-1 on penalties by League One side Sunderland after a goalless draw at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
The visitors nearly opened the scoring in the third minute when Leon Dajaku’s shot was well saved by QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng, before Daniel Neil tested his luck from range shortly afterwards.
QPR grew into the game though and had their first opportunity through Yoann Barbet’s volleyed effort in the 13th minute, forcing a low save from Lee Burge.
And the Sunderland keeper was nearly called into action again when Ilias Chair’s cross was turned onto the roof of the net by his own defender Frederik Alves just five minutes before half-time.
The second-half was a tentative affair with the opening chance coming in the 66th minute, when substitute Charlie Austin thumped a ferocious volley just past the top-right corner.
The hosts then thought they’d snatched a late winner after Albert Adomah and Austin combined to put the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be abruptly ruled out for offside.
It meant the game would be decided by penalties with misses from Austin, Chair and Barbet seeing QPR exit the competition.