Steve McClaren believes the referee would have needed x-ray vision to see the handball for which he awarded Leeds a penalty on Saturday.

The resulting Kemar Roofe spot-kick proved to be the match-winning goal for Leeds as the hosts came back from a goal down to win 2-1.

Roofe had cancelled out Nakhi Wells’ opener just before half-time and once the penalty had been scored, there was no way back into the game for the visitors.

"It was a poor decision for the penalty, a very, very poor decision and it has cost us a result," McClaren said.

"Toni [Leistner] was adamant it didn't touch his hand and the referee's position - wow. He's got fantastic eyes. He can see through people I think to see a handball.”

Wells put QPR ahead after 26 minutes at Elland Road and the former Huddersfield striker let the home fans know about it with as he cupped his ear in celebration.

The party didn’t last long for the R’s though as Roofe turned in from close range to equalise on the stroke of half-time.

Eight minutes after the restart Leeds were awarded their first penalty since October 2017 for a Leistner handball.

Despite the protests of the QPR players and away fans, the decision stood and Roofe completed the turn around.

The defeat sees QPR slip back into 14th position in the Championship table as their winless run extends to four.

Speaking after the game, McClaren said he believes Leeds will have a chance of promotion come the end of the season but warned a lot of big clubs might be disappointed.

"I think they won ugly today and that's what you need to do when you're going for promotion,” said the former England manager.

"There's a lot of big clubs and only three can go up. There will be a lot of disappointed clubs with big expectations that won't make it.

"But Leeds are going to be up there, without a shadow of a doubt."