QPR showed naivety again says boss after loss to leaders

Abdul Fatawu reacted angrily to a challenge from Andre Dozzell, who raised a hand towards the Foxes winger and was shown a first yellow card for the foul followed swiftly by another for the retaliation.

It came after Jimmy Dunne was dismissed during the midweek defeat at West Brom, also for picking up two yellow cards in quick succession.

"Naivety has cost us again. It's cost us over the past two games," Ainsworth said.

"Out of the four bookings that have cost us two red cards, I think there's only one legitimate foul in there and the rest has been just stupidity.

"Andre has reacted just as Fatawu wanted him to. The referee has no choice but to give a second yellow.

"We had a plan put in place that I think was working, but again you need 11 men, especially against the top-of-the-league team."

After Stephy Mavididi opened the scoring on the half-hour, Dozzell equalised shortly before the interval - before receiving his marching orders.

Rangers, who have lost six matches in a row and remain one off the bottom of the table, battled hard.

But Leicester made their numerical advantage count with 10 minutes left when Harry Winks rifled in a right-footed strike for his first goal since moving from Tottenham.

"I thought there were some superb performances for us. There wasn't much in the game at all until Andre falls for the trick of gamesmanship from Fatawu," added Ainsworth.

"Andre has to learn from that. It was always going to be tough after that. It still took a world-class goal to beat us."

Rangers' spirited performance perhaps eased the pressure on Ainsworth, who remains convinced they will avoid relegation.

However, a defeat away to fellow strugglers Rotherham next weekend would put further focus on his future.

"I am proud of that performance. I can hold my head up high and say we gave absolutely everything," Ainsworth said.

"As long as that keeps happening we'll amass enough points to stay in this division."

*copy from Press Association.