Scott Malone scored a late equaliser as Cardiff City fought back from two goals behind to hold Queens Park Rangers to a 2-2 draw at Loftus Road.

Both sides struggled to create chances in the early stages, but the Bluebirds ventured forward in the 13th minute as Anthony Pilkington almost caught out Rob Green with a dangerous cross.

Cardiff pressed again in the 19th minute as Joe Ralls played an inviting ball into the QPR box, but Joe Mason failed to connect with the cross.

The game came to life just after the half-hour mark and it was Cardiff who were asking all of the questions, Pilkington forcing a save out of Green from an acute angle in the 32nd minute.

QPR took the lead against the run of play moments after after Cardiff conceded a needless corner, from which Tjaronn Chery's cross was nodded home by an unmarked Clint Hill.

The Hoops had the chance to double their advantage two minutes later as Chery ventured forward again and played a lofted pass into the box, narrowly missing the head of Charlie Austin.

After dominating the early stages, Cardiff found themselves on the ropes and were glad to hear the half-time whistle after two minutes of stoppage time.

Cardiff looked in control once more as the second period got under way, but they were pegged further back against the run of play in the 57th minute.

Hill got his head to another corner, nodding the ball on for Austin to scramble home from close range with what looked suspiciously like his hand.

The Bluebirds gave themselves a lifeline in the 64th minute with the third set-piece goal of the evening, Sean Morrison beating Hill to a corner to nod Cardiff back into contention.

QPR had the opportunity to put the result beyond doubt just a few moments later, but Austin was denied from close range as Matthew Connolly blocked the effort on the line to send the ball against the post and away to safety.

Despite Cardiff continuing to dominate possession in the closing stages, there was time for both sides to attack late on as Matt Phillips raced clear to force Simon Moore into a fine save.

The hosts wasted the chance to pull clear late on when Jay Emmanuel-Thomas dragged a shot wide of the post and Chris Ramsey's side would be made to regret the miss less than a minute later.

It was a stunning finish to a dramatic match as the ball dropped to Malone, who left Green helpless by finding the top corner with a fine half-volley from outside the box.