Johnson Rues Chances Not Taken

First Bobby Reid ran from inside his own half to collect Lee Tomlin’s defence-splitting pass and turn inside the last defender, only to be denied by a crucial save from QPR keeper Alex Smithies.

A matter of seconds later, the hosts were counter-attacking down their right and scoring the winning goal when Idrissa Sylla converted a low cross from James Perch.

“I thought it was a scrappy game,” Johnson told Bristol City Player HD. “We battled hard, both teams had chances and it was even-steven, in my opinion.

“Bobby Reid has a fantastic chance when the keeper pulls off a great save, and Tammy had one in the first half that you’d expect him to stick away.

“We had some decent chances. We weren’t as fluent as I’d like us to be, but it was a tight pitch on a difficult night and we showed some good signs.

“We just need to get a side that can scrap as well, because we need to be able to win a game in different ways.”

The City head coach was left lamenting a second incorrect offside decision in the space of two matches.

After Cardiff City’s Craig Noone was allowed to continue from an offside position before winning a penalty for his side on Friday night, Lee Tomlin wrongly had a goal chalked off in West London. On both occasions the game has been goalless at the time.

“The fine margins at the moment seem to be poor officiating for us – that’s two goals that we’ve been denied,” Johnson added.

“One against Cardiff for the opposition that shouldn’t have been a goal due to offside and then in the first half tonight when Lee Tomlin scores a goal when he’s onside by a yard.

“I’m fed up of the officiating and the way it’s ran – something needs to change because it’s not fair when your team put in an effort like that at a tough place like QPR and don’t get your just rewards.

“I’ve already spoken to them (the officials). He’s made a bad decision and he knows it, but obviously he hasn’t got the benefit of a replay like we have. It feels a bit gut-wrenching when we’ve had two things go against us at key times.

“Is it an excuse? I know some people only talk about the officials, but when you come to a place like this, you battle, you score a good goal and it’s not given; that’s very frustrating.”

Johnson confirmed Reid was substituted late on with a dead leg and will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Blackburn Rovers at Ashton Gate.