But while Mike Nygaard’s second-half strike, only his fifth goal of the season, halted a run of three successive defeats and pushed Millwall further into the relegation mire, there were ugly scenes that nearly overshadowed it. Riot police were despatched to prevent Millwall fans breaching the South Africa Road stand, while items were thrown and plastic advertising banners torn up.
The trouble flared shortly after Nygaard breached the visitors’ defence. Though his initial header, from Gareth Ainsworth’s cross, was excellently saved by goalkeeper Andy Marshall, Nygaard comfortably slotted the rebound into the net.
Waddock, who had taken over the team after Holloway was placed unexpectedly on “gardening leave” last week, made six changes and the players he selected responded, dominating possession and territory for most of the match. Waddock relished the chance to manage. “I have played for the youth, reserve and first team and have coached at every level. This club has a huge place in my heart,” he said.
Later in the second half, midfielder Alan Dunne was sent off, receiving a second yellow card after his elbow connected with Steve Lomas. It compounded an awful day for the travelling Lions.
“Again, we did not have a shot on goal. How can you win games when you don’t have at least one,” asked Millwall manager David Tuttle. “Whether it is because the boys, low in confidence, think they are being relegated, I don’t know.”
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STAR MAN: Lee Cook (QPR)
Player ratings. QPR: Jones 7, Bignot 6, Shittu 7, Evatt 6, Milanese 7, Ainsworth 8, Bircham 7 (Langley 88min, 6), Lomas 7, Cook 8, Furlong 6, Nygaard 7 (Baidoo 77min, 6)
Millwall: Marshall 6, Lawrence 5, Robinson 6, Whitbread 6, Craig 6, Cogan 7 (Dyer 80min, 6), Elliott 6, Dunne 4, Livermore 6, Powel 5 (May 49min, 7), Braniff 6 (Williams 59min, 6) Scorer: QPR: Nygaard 56
Referee: A Wiley
Attendance: 13,757