10-man QPR deserved the comeback win against Preston North End because of reaction says Mark Warburton

QPR went behind thanks to a Daniel Johnson penalty and were generally outplayed in a dominant opening display from PNE.

In the second half, Rangers equalised through Grant Hall before Geoff Cameron was sent off and the visitors proceeded to score twice to win the game.

QPR changed their shape in the second 45 and Warburton felt that and hard work contributed to the win.

He said: "It's a really good result, we know Preston’s home record is outstanding this season, they’d only lost three times at home this season.

"They’re a very good team, quality, physicality, well organised by Alex. We knew what we were going to face. In the first half we fell into the trap, we knew that would come out hard, put pressure on us, put balls in behind.

"Barkhuizen’s selection meant they were going to try and stretch us.

"We were really poor, deserved to be one down, in truth it was a blessing it was only one. We didn’t force a shot, didn’t force a save, didn’t look like creating a chance.

"Thoroughly deserved to be one down. We had to come out, change our shape, made two changes and I could have made seven.

"It was tough on Marc Pugh and Dom Ball but they’ve even outstanding for us. We came out second half and you saw the result.

"What a reaction from the players, what a response, we looked on the front foot, we won our duals, we looked dangerous and scored three wonderful goals.

"We fully deserved the three points."

After a first half where Preston dominated but could only score once, Warburton felt he saw a real QPR side in the second half, whilst praising the quality Alex Neil had at his disposal.

Warburton said: "They absolutely were the best side in the first half and deserved to be more than one up.

"We were clinging on, it was just the quality of the final ball. We deserved to be down but the players had some heated words at half time, which you have to do, they’re professionals.

"That was a QPR performance in the second half and we deserved to win it because of the way we responded.

"To go down to 10 men and lose a key figure to deal with the physicality of Preston and the quality of delivery and the quality of player; they’re bringing on players like Jayden Stockley and Scott Sinclair.

"All credit to Alex for the squad that he’s assembled, and Peter Ridsdale, the quality of the squad is very evident.

"They deserve to be where they are in the league, there is no fluke at this stage of the season so we knew what we faced.

"They were by far the better team but when we respond second half like that and go down to 10 men and work that hard, I felt we deserved the three points."