Bright Osayi-Samuel’s equaliser earned a point for QPR in a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.
Chuba Akpom scored on his debut to put Boro ahead at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, where Osayi-Samuel quickly hit back for the hosts and was a threat throughout.
But he will have been heartened by striker Akpom’s perfect start to his Boro career.
Rangers’ shortcomings at the back, evident throughout last season and during their recent 3-2 defeat at Coventry, were shown up again when Lee Wallace allowed Akpom to drift away from him and score with a glancing near-post header from Paddy McNair’s left-wing corner.
The hosts levelled nine minutes later when Osman Kakay sent the ball in from the right and Luke Amos’ shot was parried by keeper Marcus Bettinelli towards Osayi-Samuel, who netted from close range.
Rangers then enjoyed a spell of pressure and appealed in vain for a penalty after Amos’ shot was blocked by the arm of George Saville – again after good work on the flank by right-back Kakay, who this week signed a new four-year contract.
Carroll, on as a substitute, collected Dykes’ pass and turned away from McNair before firing against the post.
The ball cannoned off Bettinelli’s back and Osayi-Samuel was just unable to force it home from close range as Dael Fry cleared the danger.
At the other end, Saville and Britt Assombalonga were both unable to make contact with Marcus Tavernier’s cross from the right.
