QPR’s 3-1 derby defeat to Brentford was lost by a refereeing decision according to R’s boss Mark Warburton.

With the game tied at 1-1 thanks to a first half goal from Ollie Watkins and a leveller shortly after the break from Hoops skipper Grant Hall, referee Andy Woolmer pointed to the spot on the hour adjudging Josh Scowen to have fouled Bryan Mbeumo.

Former Bees’ boss Warburton was adamant it was a dive, but that meant little to Said Benrahma who thumped home the spot-kick before Watkins added a third in injury time.

“It was lost on a big decision,” a clearly frustrated Warburton said.

“We were in the ascendancy, and I was confident we would go on to get another, then the decision changes everything.

“You’ve got to be really, really sure in a local derby, in any game, you’ve got to be 100% sure.

“I’ve seen the replays, I’ll let you describe it because I’ll get fined.

“Josh got warned in first half for what I thought was a good tackle on him(Mbeumo).

“The guys said at half time be careful because he’s looking for it.

“Josh goes to make challenge, pulls his left foot back, his hands ae up, and he’s already in the air.

“I was listening intently to Sean Dyche’s comments, ‘if you keep getting rewarded you’ll keep doing it (diving).’

“I thought his comments were very astute and appropriate and tonight we paid the price in similar vain.

“I’m not criticising the ref, because players will do what they can do to get the rewards, they’re professional athletes.

“I thought Sean’s comments were very sharp, very appropriate, we can see that.

“The player there will naturally will do it again, I would.

“In any sport, any industry, if you get a reward for something you’re going to keep on doing it and that is what we’ve got to try fix because it’s not an acceptable part of the game.”

With VAR being used in Premiership football, Warburton felt it’s only a matter of time before it’s utilised in Championship football.

“I think 100% VAR changes that decision in my humble opinion.

“But it’s not in the Championship yet.

“There’s problems at the moment, you’ll get teething problems, but it’ll be eradicated, it’ll come.

“We would’ve gone second tonight if we won, and that’s a big decision.

“But the fact is though in any call, make sure you’re 100% sure.

“Credit to Brentford, but I’m frustrated to see a game change in that manner in that type of call.”

QPR travel to Leeds United on Saturday.

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