Mark Warburton admitted he could have made as many as seven changes at half-time after a first-half to forget from QPR in their 3-1 comeback victory at Preston North End.

The hosts took the lead in the 19th minute through a Daniel Johnson penalty and it could have been even worse for Rangers at the break had the Lilywhites taken their chances.

But a rejuvenated QPR levelled the game shortly after the hour mark when Rangers captain Grant Hall volleyed home Eberechi Eze’s free-kick before Geoff Cameron saw red for a second yellow card.

And despite being a man down with 25 minutes remaining, Ryan Manning’s curling effort in the 79th minute and Eze's late effort secured all three points for QPR – much to the delight of Warburton.

“It's a really good result, we know Preston's home record is outstanding this season, they'd only lost three times at home this season,” said Warburton.

"We were really poor, deserved to be one down, in truth it was a blessing it was only one. We didn't force a shot, didn't force a save, didn't look like creating a chance.

"Thoroughly deserved to be one down. We had to come out, change our shape, made two changes and I could have made seven.

"What a reaction from the players, what a response, we looked on the front foot, we won our duals, we looked dangerous and scored three wonderful goals."

Preston could have gone four points clear of seventh in the Championship with a win but it was QPR who picked up their third victory from their last five fixtures to go 12th in the table.

“They absolutely were the best side in the first half and deserved to be more than one up,” Warburton continued. “We were clinging on, it was just the quality of the final ball.

“We deserved to be down but the players had some heated words at half time, which you have to do, they’re professionals.

“That was a QPR performance in the second half and we deserved to win it because of the way we responded.”