Sheffield United on verge of sealing play-off spot with comeback win at QPR

Sheffield United came from behind to claim a comfortable 3-1 Championship victory at QPR that put them on the verge of sealing a play-off spot.

Charlie Austin put Rangers ahead after 31 minutes in what was expected to be his farewell match at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

But Mark Warburton’s side found themselves under sustained pressure after the interval and Iliman Ndiaye equalised nine minutes into the second half.

Former QPR defender Jack Robinson put United in front after 73 minutes and in stoppage time, Conor Hourihane scored straight after coming on as a substitute to record his first United goal.

It means the Blades’ top-fix finish could be sealed if results elsewhere go their way on Saturday.

It also condemned Warburton to another defeat in his final home match as manager of Rangers, who are replacing him when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Striker Austin, who turns 33 this summer, is also set to move on.

Austin scored 45 league goals in 82 appearances during his first spell at QPR, but his second has turned out to be disappointing.

He rolled back the years by getting in front of Chris Basham to head home Albert Adomah’s right-wing cross just after the half-hour mark.

But it was only his fifth league goal of the season and QPR are set to release him.

He was signed last summer on what was announced as a two-year deal, but it was in fact a one-year contract with a second year dependent on him making a certain number of appearances.

Austin has fallen short of that number so will essentially be out of contract among with several other players, including Adomah.

Warburton’s woes were summed up with the fact that Kieren Westwood – signed on a short-term deal because five other QPR goalkeepers