QPR 0-0 Plymouth Argyle: Marti Cifuentes' side fail to take advantage of Dan Scarr's first half red card

It's been a long time since QPR fans have had something to cling onto.

But thanks to the impact of little-known Spanish coach Marti Cifuentes, Hoops supporters finally have hope again.

Cifuentes - who replaced Gareth Ainsworth in October - was left frustrated on Wednesday after a goalless draw against 10-man Plymouth Argyle, but there was still plenty of evidence to suggest his side are moving in the right direction.

'Today was one of those days,' Cifuentes said post-match. 'Plymouth defended very well in a low block and it was difficult to create clear chances.

‘We got in good situations but not as clear as we should have. We still got a point, but we are very disappointed with only getting one point which is a good signal and I am pleased about this attitude.’

QPR poached the 41-year-old from Swedish side Hammarby and his nomadic coaching career has taken him through Spain’s second tier, Norway, Denmark and Sweden - via a brief stint in Millwall’s youth academy - to Loftus Road.

A year ago when Michael Beale joined Rangers, QPR were seventh and just four points off third place Blackburn Rovers, with expectations of a promotion push in the second half of the campaign.

However, a disastrous 10 months saw Neil Critchley then Ainsworth come and fail in the hot seat, with the pair combining for six wins in 40 games that had the West London side teetering on the brink of League One.

Much of the belief has been sucked out of the Loftus Road faithful but after picking up eight points in 14 games pre-Cifuentes, the Hoops now have 12 in seven matches with him, plus three successive clean sheets and they are one point from safety.

It could’ve been different though as Steven Schumacher’s side - who haven’t won a second tier away game since a 2-1 victory over Doncaster on 3 April 2010, a mere 5003 days ago - started brightly.

The exciting Morgan Whittaker went through within 30 seconds but couldn’t make the most of his opportunity. QPR were guilty of giving the ball away in dangerous areas and Ryan Hardie missed two gilt-edged chances, including firing over a one-on-one when bearing down on Asmir Begovic.

QPR grew into the game against their youthful opponents - whose starting line up had an average age of 24.2 - and the big moment came on 25 minutes.

As Ilias Chair broke away, Dan Scarr - who was Argyle’s most experienced player - brought him down in what seemed to be a classic cynical foul to stop a counter attack, but referee Tony Harrington had no hesitation in brandishing a red card instantly.

Replays showed Scarr caught Chair on the knee and had both feet off the ground in what was a reckless challenge.

QPR began to dominate with Conor Hazard making a good stop from the revitalised Chris Willock, before Charlie Kelman hit the post from just a few yards out.

Cifuentes this week likened his side's progress to rowing a boat and his team kept paddling in the second half but switched the crew members after a triple change.

Plymouth defended heroically and should have gone ahead when Hardie’s cross found Kaine Kesler-Hayden who headed wide from a few yards out.

Chair was pulling the strings for QPR but they remained frustrated as the final quality eluded them, before Hazard was forced into a succession of saves late on.

Despite their 21 attempts on goal and 76 per cent possession, QPR couldn’t make their man advantage count.

‘I’m so proud of them because the effort they put in under those circumstances was top draw,’ Schumacher said.

‘I felt we deserved something from the game but there’s also a slight tinge of disappointment because I felt we should have scored in the first 15 minutes, but we keep moving and at least we have come away with something.’