Stoke City passed up an opportunity to claw themselves back into the Championship play-off places as they were held to an uneventful goalless draw by a resolute Queens Park Rangers – on an afternoon when striker Divin Mubama was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg.
Stoke had progressed through to the fourth round of the FA Cup last weekend on home soil, at the expense of league leaders Coventry City, but there was no late drama in the Potteries this weekend as the points were shared in a low-key affair.
With Preston North End and Watford, who had both been above Mark Robins’ side before the start of play, both suffering defeats, there was a chance for the Potters to leap back into the top six, but they remain two points adrift after this stalemate.
More immediately, there is concern for Manchester City loanee Mubama – the Stoke forward was forced off on a stretcher after a challenge from QPR defender Jimmy Dunne early into the second half.
Stoke began brightly and with intent. Tomas Rigo was the first to test either goalkeeper when he caught the ball sweetly after it had only been half-cleared to the edge of the penalty area but Joe Walsh was equal to his stinging drive.
The Rs have proven to be rather formidable at home this season, but on the road they have struggled to muster consistent results and they had to weather a period of pressure early on from their hosts, who asked further questions when Lamine Cisse went close at the far post shortly before Mubama tested Walsh from close range.
Stoke’s best opportunity to break the deadlock came in the closing stages of the first half, when QPR failed to clear their lines from a Potters corner-kick.
The ball ran to Cisse on the far side of the penalty area, and he whipped in a threatening delivery which defender Maksym Talovierov did not meet cleanly and sent past the post.
Prior to the half-time whistle Stoke thought they had grounds for a penalty, when Sorba Thomas’ cross from the left-hand side struck Amadou Mbengue, but referee Matt Donohue waved away the handball claims.
Stoke were forced to reshuffle their pack at the beginning of the second period, when Mubama was stretchered off after being on the receiving end of a challenge from apologetic defender Dunne, who was cautioned for his involvement.
The game remained cagey throughout the second half, with few notable openings for either side.
QPR did not manage a shot on target until deep into stoppage time, although they enjoyed as decent an opening as anything produced in the second period when substitute Kealey Adamson flashed a chance over the bar before the end.