By Michael Da Silva BBC Sport

Derby earned a goalless draw at QPR, as the Championship leaders edged closer to securing automatic promotion to the Premier League.

The Rams failed to contain QPR's danger man Adel Taarabt in the first half, as the Moroccan brought a fingertip save out of Brad Jones with a dipping drive.

Heidar Helguson and Tommy Smith also went close for the home side.

Derby would have won it but for a flying save from Paddy Kenny to deny Stephen Pearson in the second half.

QPR went into this game knowing that a win would have been a giant stride towards securing their automatic promotion to the top flight.

But Neil Warnock's team were confronted by a committed Derby side intent on making life difficult for the champions-in-waiting.

Taarabt's delivery caused the visitors problems early on, as Nigel Clough's side struggled to get to grips with the star man's movement and impeccable delivery from dangerous areas.

Robbie Savage picked up an early yellow card for an over-enthusiastic lunge on the Moroccan, beginning an intriguing battle that brought together two contrasting styles.

Taarabt's delivery from the wings created chances for Helguson and Smith, but both opportunities were squandered from close range.

QPR's key moment of inspiration in the first half came from the outside of the right boot of Taarabt in the 17th minute.

Collecting the ball in space 25 yards out, the former Spurs man attempted an audacious swerving effort that would have dipped under the crossbar, but Jones's excellent fingertip save kept it out.

It wasn't all one-way traffic though and, on the stroke of half-time, Derby striker Theo Robinson found himself clean through on goal, only to slice his shot high and wide despite having team-mates arriving in the penalty box.

And it was Derby who came closest to taking all three points.

Jamie Ward raced down the left wing and pulled back for Pearson, whose goal-bound shot from 12 yards was acrobatically saved by Kenny.

The stop was even more impressive given that he had been largely a spectator for the previous 62 minutes.

Having controlled the first half Taarabt was relatively anonymous in the second, with Savage doing well to deny him the space within which to operate, hastening Taarabt's withdrawal 20 minutes from the end.

Derby held firm for the draw, but QPR can effectively clinch promotion to the top tier of English football after a 15-year absence if they win at Cardiff City on Saturday.

QPR still have an FA charge hanging over them regarding the transfer of Alejandro Faurlin, but a points deduction remains unlikely.

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (5)

Queens Park Rangers

  • 01 Kenny
  • 02 Orr
  • 03 Hill
  • 13 Gorkss
  • 16 Connolly
  • 04 Derry
  • 07 Taarabt (Agyemang - 71' )
  • 11 Faurlin
  • 15 Routledge Booked (Miller - 83' )
  • 09 Helguson (Hulse - 85' )
  • 21 Smith

Substitutes

  • 24 Cerny
  • 41 Shittu
  • 10 Buzsaky
  • 25 Ephraim
  • 19 Agyemang
  • 20 Hulse
  • 29 Miller

Derby County

  • 33 Jones
  • 02 Brayford Booked
  • 03 Roberts
  • 05 Barker
  • 21 Ayala Booked
  • 08 Savage Booked
  • 11 Pearson (Anderson - 89' )
  • 16 Bailey Booked
  • 07 S Davies (Leacock - 90' )
  • 09 Robinson
  • 10 Ward

Substitutes

  • 30 Atkins
  • 06 Leacock
  • 14 Anderson
  • 28 B Davies
  • 12 Porter
  • 23 Doyle
  • 27 Bueno
Ref: Deadman
Att: 16,745

Match Stats

Shots

11 9

On target

3 4

Corners

7 1

Fouls

11 14

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:23 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +2:03

Brad Jones takes the free kick.

90:00 +2:03 Substitution

Substitution Dean Leacock replaces Steve Davies.

90:00 +2:03

Patrick Agyemang challenges Russell Anderson unfairly and gives away a free kick.

90:00 +0:13

Clint Hill concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie Ward. Brad Jones takes the free kick.

89:19

Unfair challenge on Rob Hulse by Steve Davies results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Tommy Smith.

88:38 Substitution

Substitution Russell Anderson replaces Stephen Pearson.

84:51 Substitution

Substitution (QPR) makes a substitution, with Rob Hulse coming on for Heidar Helguson.

83:55

Jamie Ward fouled by Bradley Orr, the ref awards a free kick. Robbie Savage restarts play with the free kick.

82:33

Brad Jones restarts play with the free kick.

82:33 Substitution

Substitution Ishmael Miller on for Wayne Routledge.

82:33

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Bailey by Patrick Agyemang.

81:24

Jamie Ward challenges Heidar Helguson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Bradley Orr restarts play with the free kick.

80:03

Steve Davies gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Patrick Kenny. Direct free kick taken by Patrick Kenny.

75:54

Direct free kick taken by Patrick Kenny.

75:54 Booking

Booking John Brayford booked for unsporting behaviour.

75:38

John Brayford concedes a free kick for a foul on Kaspars Gorkss.

74:32

Heidar Helguson concedes a free kick for a foul on Robbie Savage. Free kick taken by Brad Jones.

73:19

Patrick Agyemang crosses the ball, Headed effort from inside the box by Bradley Orr misses to the right of the target.

71:32

Alejandro Faurlin produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.

71:32 Booking

Booking The referee books James Bailey for unsporting behaviour.

71:18

Free kick awarded for a foul by James Bailey on Alejandro Faurlin.

70:08

Direct free kick taken by Robbie Savage.

70:08 Substitution

Substitution Patrick Agyemang is brought on as a substitute for Adel Taarabt.

70:08

Free kick awarded for a foul by Bradley Orr on Theo Robinson.

69:24

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stephen Pearson on Shaun Derry. Free kick taken by Matthew Connolly.

64:56

Alejandro Faurlin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steve Davies. Brad Jones takes the direct free kick.

64:08

Corner taken right-footed by Adel Taarabt from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Theo Robinson.

62:57

Stephen Pearson takes a shot. Save by Patrick Kenny. Jamie Ward takes the outswinging corner, Unfair challenge on Matthew Connolly by Shaun Barker results in a free kick. Patrick Kenny takes the direct free kick.

59:23

Free kick awarded for a foul by Tommy Smith on Jamie Ward. Direct free kick taken by Brad Jones.

58:26

The free kick is delivered right-footed by Adel Taarabt from right wing.

58:26 Booking

Booking Booking for Daniel Ayala.

57:57

Daniel Ayala gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tommy Smith.

56:23

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Theo Robinson by Alejandro Faurlin. Direct free kick taken by Robbie Savage.

53:45

Effort from just outside the box by Alejandro Faurlin goes over the bar.

51:09

Wayne Routledge is caught offside. Brad Jones restarts play with the free kick.

46:39

Effort on goal by Steve Davies from long range goes harmlessly over the target.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +2:17 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

44:05

Effort from inside the area by Theo Robinson misses to the right of the goal.

40:21

Foul by James Bailey on Alejandro Faurlin, free kick awarded. Matthew Connolly restarts play with the free kick.

39:20

Corner taken right-footed by Adel Taarabt to the near post, Close range headed effort by Heidar Helguson misses to the right of the target.

38:31

Bradley Orr fouled by Theo Robinson, the ref awards a free kick. Bradley Orr takes the free kick.

37:43

Corner from the right by-line taken by Adel Taarabt, clearance by Shaun Barker. Shot by Heidar Helguson from 12 yards. Save made by Brad Jones.

36:57

Effort from outside the penalty box by James Bailey goes wide left of the target.

34:07

Free kick awarded for a foul by Shaun Barker on Heidar Helguson. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Adel Taarabt, save by Brad Jones.

32:26

Theo Robinson has an effort at goal from 12 yards. Kaspars Gorkss gets a block in.

31:15

Shot from 20 yards by Jamie Ward. Blocked by Matthew Connolly.

30:37

Shot from deep inside the area by Stephen Pearson clears the crossbar.

29:37

Adel Taarabt has an effort at goal from outside the area which misses left.

28:53

Wayne Routledge delivers the ball, save by Brad Jones.

25:16

Adel Taarabt delivers the ball, save by Brad Jones.

24:45

Adel Taarabt takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Robbie Savage manages to make a clearance.

22:26

Robbie Savage gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Heidar Helguson. Matthew Connolly restarts play with the free kick.

20:27

Effort from the edge of the box by James Bailey goes wide of the left-hand post.

20:27

James Bailey has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.

16:54

Effort on goal by Adel Taarabt from 25 yards. Save by Brad Jones. Corner taken by Adel Taarabt, Daniel Ayala manages to make a clearance.

14:52

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stephen Pearson on Adel Taarabt. The ball is swung over by Adel Taarabt, Header from close range by Tommy Smith clears the bar.

14:08

Direct free kick taken by Bradley Orr.

14:08 Booking

Booking Wayne Routledge receives a yellow card for dissent.

13:27 Booking

Booking Booking for Robbie Savage for unsporting behaviour.

12:45

Robbie Savage gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Adel Taarabt.

10:42

Wayne Routledge produces a right-footed shot from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

9:00

Theo Robinson takes a shot. Clint Hill gets a block in.

6:51

Steve Davies fouled by Matthew Connolly, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Robbie Savage.

5:39

Kaspars Gorkss gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steve Davies. Robbie Savage takes the free kick.

4:07

Corner taken by Adel Taarabt, Shaun Barker manages to make a clearance. Outswinging corner taken by Adel Taarabt from the right by-line, Heidar Helguson has a header from close in and clears the crossbar.

0:00

The referee starts the match.

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