QPR 1 Leeds United 1

Leeds boss Brian McDermott admitted he was disappointed not to come away from pre-season title favourites QPR without all three points.

Ross McCormack’s 24th goal of the season put United in front but midfielder Jermaine Jenas ensured they avoided a fourth successive defeat when he slotted in the equaliser just before half-time.

McDermott, whose side remain in a state of flux with Massimo Cellino’s controversial takeover yet to be completed, said: “You’d take a point before the game here but as the game panned out it was disappointing not to take all three.

“We should maybe have killed the game off in the first half.

“But it is what it is, another point on the board and I just want positivity around Leeds United. We haven’t had much lately.

“We are still waiting for the takeover to be completed but it is a much calmer place now.”

The visitors were given a tenth-minute spot-kick when Richard Dunne’s clumsy challenge sent McCormack tumbling in the penalty area but the his weak effort was saved by Rob Green.

However, the in-form frontman made amends four minutes later with a curling free-kick which clipped the Rangers wall on its way past Green.

But Jenas snatched a point for the hosts with his only second goal of the season, firing home from the edge of the area a minute before half-time.

Both teams had chances to win it, with Leeds debutant Connor Wickham twice going close and Jack Butland saving well from Armand Traore before Clint Hill’s stoppage-time strike was ruled out for offside.

But Rangers boss Redknapp was left to count the cost of an injury list which includes the likes of Niko Kranjcar, Matty Phillips, Danny Simpson, Andy Johnson and top scorer Charlie Austin.

“Obviously you want to win your home games,” he admitted. “We came out in the second half and had a great chance through Traore. But the game faded away after that.

“If I was picking my best team today I think I’ve got six or seven players missing. It’s very difficult, these are key, key, key players.”