QPR warm up for United cup clash with victory
Gavin Mahon climbed off the bench to sink nine-man Cardiff as QPR got back to winning ways in the Championship.
City, who lost captain Darren Purse to a straight red card in the first half, looked set to hold out for a point with Rangers toiling in attack.
But in front of co-owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore - no strangers to late drama following last weekend's climax to the Formula One season - Mahon popped up to secure the points with 10 minutes remaining.
Cardiff full-back Miguel Comminges was then booked twice in the space of two minutes to compound their misery.
Michael Chopra, who rejoined Cardiff on loan from Sunderland this week after snubbing QPR, worked hard up front but could not find a way through on his second debut as his side slumped to a first defeat on the road this season.
Caretaker boss Gareth Ainsworth, who tasted defeat for the first time at Ipswich last week, now takes his side to Manchester United in the Carling Cup on the back of a morale-boosting win.
