Kane strikes late to hand Woodgate first loss in charge of Cherries

The full-back got forward to smash home the decisive blow, as Queens Park Rangers sealed a 2-1 victory over the Dorset club at Loftus Road.

Shane Long had levelled for the visitors after Stefan Johansen’s opener - but the former’s first goal in almost a year proved not enough for Woodgate’s troops.

Cherries made three changes from the side who overcame Rotherham United 1-0 at Vitality Stadium on Wednesday.

Chris Mepham, Jack Wilshere and Long were recalled in place of Diego Rico, Arnaut Danjuma and Sam Surridge, who dropped to the bench.

Caretaker boss Woodgate also opted for a change of shape, playing with three central defenders. There was no David Brooks in the visitors’ squad, reportedly out through injury.

Mark Warburton’s R’s were unchanged from the side who overcame promotion-chasing Brentford 2-1 on Tuesday, which included former Poole Town star Charlie Austin.

But it was Cherries who had the first attempt on goal after just seven minutes. Wilshere combined with Philip Billing to set the latter through on goal.

The in-form Dane surged into the box unchallenged, but saw his effort from an acute angle deflect off QPR keeper Seny Dieng and away to safety.

Cherries looked lively during the opening exchanges and had appeals for a penalty waved away.

After a neatly worked short corner routine between Junior Stanislas and Wilshere, the ball was delivered by Lewis Cook into the box.

Mepham looked to have been pushed in the back by defender Yoann Barbet, but the referee waved play on.

The visitors continued to threaten. After receiving a pass from Mepham, Jefferson Lerma’s measured long ball found the run of Long.

The Republic of Ireland international steadied himself before firing straight at Dieng when running in one-on-one.

Cherries remained relatively unthreatened during the opening period. Frontman Austin looked to fire at goal on the turn but was well dealt with by Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Woodgate’s side looked to find the opening just before the break. Lewis Cook drilled wide after being teed up by Stanislas on the edge of the box.

QPR came within inches of breaking the deadlock within three minutes of the second half.

Ilias Chair’s menacing free-kick was swung onto the head of Geoff Cameron. The former Stoke man saw his header clatter off the bar.

At the other end, Cherries then spurned a golden opportunity. Lloyd Kelly drove forward and played the ball across goal for Adam Smith – but the wing-back failed to turn the ball in at the back post.

But Cherries fell behind after giving the home side a gift on 58 minutes. After receiving the ball from Carter-Vickers, Mepham looked to find Jefferson Lerma on the edge of the box.

His loose pass was seized by Johansen, who pounced to smash in the opener and put the R’s in front.

Woodgate then looked to the bench and replaced Wilshere with Surridge – a change which was to prove almost instant dividends.

Two minutes after Surridge came on, his cushioned header from Stanislas’s cross was perfect for the run of Long, who bundled in to level up the contest on 69 minutes.

Cherries then pushed to win it. Stanislas saw a free-kick deflect off the wall and then sent another effort wide.

But it was the R’s who were to have the final say. Chris Willock’s cross found the run of Kane at the back post, who smashed in to hand Woodgate the first loss of his spell in charge.

The hosts also hit the post through Macauley Bonne in the latter stages as Cherries pushed men forward.

QPR: Dieng, Barbet, Cameron, Dickie, Kane, Johansen (Willock, 59), Ball, Wallace (Hämäläinen, 59), Chair (Bonne, 72), Austin (Field, 59), Dykes (Adomah, 72).

Unused subs: Bonne, Kakay, Bettache, Kelman, Lumley (g/k).

Booked: Barbet, Chair, Kane.

Cherries: Begovic, Smith, Kelly, Mepham, Carter-Vickers, Stanislas, Lerma, L Cook (Danjuma, 86), Wilshere (Surridge, 67), Billing, Long.

Unused subs: Zemura, Rico, Kilkenny, Pearson, Riquelme, Anthony, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Mepham.

Referee: D Bond.