FORMER Birmingham hot-shot Paul Furlong struck with a second-half header to inflict another defeat on Bournemouth at Loftus Road on Saturday (Aug 23).

Cherries launched the first serious assault on goal when a volley by Stephen Purches went over the bar.

The game was just six minutes old when the referee brandished the first yellow card to Paul Furlong for an unsporting challenge on Jason Tindall.

Chris Day was quick off his goal-line to gather an inswinging corner from Bournemouth's James Hayter.

Cherries went desperately close to taking the lead after 20 minutes when a close-range shot from Derek Holmes rattled the woodwork. Holmes threatened again a few moments later with a header which went the wrong side of the left-hand post.

Rangers retaliated with Gareth Ainsworth trying his luck from distance but Cherries were soon back on the offensive through Steve Fletcher whose volley was saved by Chris Day.

The London side were being restricted to long hops and Furlong let fly from 35 yards and saw his effort sail harmlessly wide.

Holmes was booked for a foul on Ainsworth as Rangers ended the half the stronger of the two sides.

A shot by Kevin McLeod went over the bar then McLeod again put in a volley which was just too high.

Half-time:

QPR 0 BOURNEMOUTH 0

A foul by Carl Fletcher on Tony Thorpe gave Rangers a free-kick from which Martin Rowlands tested Neil Moss in the Bournemouth goal.

Rowlands was again denied by the Cherries keeper as drove in a shot from 30 yards.

McLeod, who had been posing problems for Cherries late in the first half, popped up to craft the game's opening goal for Furlong. McLeod got free on the left to send over a cross which FURLONG headed home.

Kevin Gallen came on for Tony Thorpe after 65 minutes and Warren Cummings, who had a knock, was replaced by Wade Elliott. Gallen was quick to find his feet and tested Moss from 20 yards.

Gallen had another effort stopped by Moss before Warren Feeney's foul on Dan Shittu earned him a yellow card. Steve Fletcher blazed wide from 20 yards as Cherries came with one last charge in the last minute.

QPR: Day, Palmer, Carlisle, Shittu, Padula, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Bircham, McLeod, Thorpe, Furlong. Subs: Culkin, Gallen, Bean, Edghill, Williams.

Bournemouth: Moss, Purches, Carl Fletcher, Broadhurst, Cummings, Hayter, Browning, Tindall, O'Connor, Steve Fletcher, Holmes. Subs: Stewart, Feeney, Elliott, Connell, Thomas.

Referee: P Danson (Leicestershire)