Caltex Socceroos midfielder Massimo Luongo had an assist but it wasn’t enough to prevent QPR falling to defeat in the Championship on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
Luongo’s side lost 2-1 to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, with the Aussie playmaker substituted on 87 minutes.
But the 25-year-old made an impact for the visitors, setting up their goal to get QPR back in the match after they trailed 2-0 early in the second half.
It was Luongo’s release to Luke Freeman that saw the attacker produce a lovely solo run and then shot from distance to half the deficit just after the hour mark.
Unfortunately for QPR there would be no late fightback as Sheffield United held on to keep their own hopes of promotion alive.
But for Ian Holloway’s Rangers, their hopes of making the playoffs are all but over, stranded in 15th spot after 33 matches.
Luongo was one of a handful of Aussies in action in the Championship, with Caltex Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak also getting through 90 minutes as Aston Villa were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Preston.
Jedinak picked up a yellow card early in the second half, with Lewis Grabban’s 66th-minute penalty earning Villa a share of the spoils.
Jackson Irvine’s Hull City remain deep in the relegation battle after a disappointing 3-1 loss at Middlesbrough.
Irvine got through the full game for the Tigers who were undone by a brace to Rudy Gestede to sit above the drop zone on goal difference only.
Tim Cahill was an unused substitute for Millwall who came from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at The Den.
While Cahill watched from the bench, left-back James Meredith played the full match for the Lions, who jumped up to 11th on the back of their seventh straight league match without defeat.
