QPR boss Neil Critchley said Middlesbrough's penalty award in the second half at the Riverside was "harsh" - and came at a time when he sensed his side were getting back into the game.

With Boro leading 1-0, the hosts won a penalty when Riley McGree was fouled by Tim Iroegbunam.

Chuba Akpom's spot-kick was saved but was on hand to slot home the rebound, to the frustration of Critchley, who felt the penalty was soft. And despite falling behind 13 minutes earlier, Critchley claims he'd seen enough to suggest his side could get back into the game.

He said: "I have to say I thought it was a very harsh decision, and at such a decisive moment. At 1-0. I felt the game was just slightly changing.

"There was a break in play, some of the players came over to the side and we'd had a spell of possession. I said at half-time, if we're brave and keep playing, we can get on top. They played on Wednesday night and there'd be tiredness. I felt that was just starting to happen, then they get a penalty that I didn't think was.

"I've watched it about 500 times. It's because the ball doesn't run away, but he nicks it, he gets contact but there's a ricochet so the ball stays dead. If you look at the reaction of the Middlesbrough player, he knows. But the referee couldn't wait to give it. The player hadn't even hit the floor and he'd pointed to the spot."

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Critchley was delighted with QPR's first half display and says he sensed anxiety in the crowd at half-time, but Boro move through the gears after the break.

He said: "I was really pleased with the first half performance, considering the run of form we're on and the form Middlesbrough are in. We were excellent in the first half. We frustrated them and you could sense the anxiety in the crowd, but we didn't make the most of our opportunities."

Defeat at the Riverside extends QPR's winless run to 10 games, but under-fire Critchley insists he can turn things around.

He said: "When I see the players playing like they did today in this type of atmosphere away from home, I have full belief. We just need that bit of belief and things to go for us."