Kaleb Dyke’s last-minute piledriver rescued a dramatic point for QPR DS in a 1-1 draw with Hull City U21s at MATRADE Loftus Road on Friday afternoon.

Paul Furlong’s men, who were returning to the scene of their Premier League Cup win back in May for the first time, hoped to extend their unbeaten run to four games.

A slightly weakened side was fielded, with six out the regulation fifteen players under the age of 18, due to the DS playing twice in one week, and several players away on international duty.

Any hopes that the R’s would carry their momentum on from their first win of the season on Tuesday was very quickly put to rest when the visitors netted an early goal through Hugh Parker’s emphatic strike following a miscommunication in defence.

The Tigers almost had two just minutes later, with Pharrell Brown’s ambitious effort curling against the post from range.

Rangers did almost have an answer very quickly however, with Ridwan Hassan’s header not going too far away.

Matteo Salamon was kept very busy in goal throughout the first half, being forced into action several times to deny Zane Myers in particular.

As the half drew on, things got a touch spicy, with three yellow cards dished out by the interval, and Archie O’Brien was treated for several minutes following a dangerous challenge from a City player.

However, Paul Furlong’s side came out swinging in the second period, with Kaleb Dyke going the closest yet to levelling just after the hour mark, but his long-range effort was saved well by Yam in goal.

It was also at just after the hour that Furlong decided to call his reinforcements. Alex Aoraha made his return from injury, replacing Fraser Neill, and the enigmatic Kalen Brunson replaced Ashley Trujillo.

A third change was made several minutes later with new signing Kobe Agbude coming on for Jaiden Putman.

Rangers came even closer soon after this, with Archie O’Brien’s header crashing against the crossbar.

As the game began to get more physical, Furlong looked to his bench for a final time, sending Gabe Cuthbert on in place of Timmy Akindileni.

With the game going into additional time, the R’s needed an inspiration before the inevitable defeat was confirmed. However, Kaleb Dyke attempted another one of his long-range strikes, and this one flew past Yam, confirming a very late point for the R’s.

Paul Furlong’s men are back in action on Monday 15th September, away to Sheffield Wednesday in the Premier League Development League as the R’s look to stretch their unbeaten run to five.

QPR DS: Salamon, Putman (Agbude 68), Leahy, McCann, Akindileni (Cuthbert 80), Dyke (90’), Coomes, Neill (Aoraha 63), Hassan, O’Brien, Trujillo (Brunson 63).