MARK WARBURTON admits his QPR side have to play better after scraping past League One Rotherham to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.

After a goalless 90 minutes, Michael Ihiekwe put Rotherham in front in extra-time before Lyndon Dykes’ equaliser forced a penalty shootout at Loftus Road.

Keeper Jordan Archer was the shootout hero, saving two penalties as the Rs edged their way into the next round where they will take on Peterborough.

But there was a huge blow for Warburton with Archer suffering a serious injury during the shootout, and he was also disappointed with aspects of the performance.

He said: “We have to be better. Rotherham are very good at what they do, the ball comes forward, they attempt to kill it, and it is very hard to get rhythm and tempo in your game- but that is our job and that is what we have to do.

“I think we found ourselves drawn into their game- and they will undoubtedly be better at their game than we are at their game.

“For me, it was a very disappointing second period and into extra-time. We have to make better decisions but the positive is we found a way.

“Even when we were way below our best and sloppy, we found a way to win the game. Today we looked an average team but we have to learn from it.” 

Despite the performance, Warburton was happy with the spirit on display from his side.

“The players know what I think of them, and what all the coach staff think of them,” he said.

“They have a desire to do well, to keep pushing forward and to keep learning. We have to recognise what makes us a good team.

“We have that fighting spirit and we move the ball quickly, with pace and purpose to hurt the opposition.

“That wasn’t us today but the players deserve credit because they found a way to win the game.”

The Rs return to Championship action this week with a crunch clash against West Brom, who sit just a point and a place above Warburton’s side in fourth.