Championship wrap: Leaders QPR draw at Cardiff

Queens Park Rangers are yet to secure automatic promotion from the Championship after drawing 2-2 away to Cardiff City on Saturday.

The hosts went in front after six minutes of the match at the Cardiff City Stadium courtesy of a terrific goal from Jay Bothroyd.

The forward received the ball out wide from strike partner Craig Bellamy and cut inside before launching a shot into the far corner of the net.

Cardiff’s lead lasted just four minutes before Morocco international Adel Taarabt levelled for the visitors.

And the QPR captain’s equaliser was more than a match for the opening goal, a shot curled in from an acute angle beyond Cardiff goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

But the home side went in at the break 2-1 up thanks to the on-loan Bellamy, who seized on a loose ball to beat opposing keeper Paddy Kenny from close range.

In command early in the second half, Cardiff appeared to be closing in on a vital win in their bid to overhaul Norwich in the second automatic promotion place.

But Taarabt produced his second goal of the match – a left-foot strike from outside the area – to level again with 19 minutes remaining.

The draw leaves QPR eight points clear of third place. With three matches left, Neil Warnock’s side remain on course to capture the title.

Cardiff stay third, one point behind second-placed Norwich, with the second automatic promotion still in the balance.